asked the Minister for Education the reasons for employing untrained teachers in primary schools; what investigations were carried out as to the availability of trained teachers such as University graduates with Higher Diplomas in Education; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

11.

asked the Minister for Education if he intends to pursue a policy of employing university graduates with or without Higher Diplomas in Education on a permanent ongoing basis in primary schools; and if he will make a comprehensive statement on the matter.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 11 together.

Untrained teachers are employed in national schools only when qualified teachers are not available and then only in a temporary capacity for a limited period.

University graduates are not recognised as qualified teachers in national schools unless they have been selected under the annually advertised competition for entry to a college of education and have completed successfully a one-year course in the college. It is intended to continue these arrangements.

In view of the Minister's approach to the problem of special graduate teachers, the House should be given an explanation of the future policy in relation to employing graduate teachers in national schools. Does the Minister intend to have them as a permanent inflow into the primary sector?

I have answered that question. University graduates are not recognised as qualified teachers in national schools unless they have been selected under the annually advertised competition for entry to a college of education. We intend to continue that scheme and to recruit as many leaving certificate students as possible to continue our main objective of reducing the pupil-teacher ratio.

May I take it that the Minister will not be changing the established procedure for training primary school teachers?

I intend to recruit more people in order to deal with the pupil-teacher ratio.

I supported the Minister's moves to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio, but I think the House is entitled to an explanation of the Minister's approach to recruiting more people.

I intend to continue to recruit as in the past, namely, on the results of the leaving certificate and suitable graduates. My main complaint is that not enough people were being recruited.

As the Minister intends to increase the number of people in training, can he tell us whether there are sufficient places available for them?

If places are not available, I intend to provide places for them.

Will next year's Estimate include a sum to provide for the increase in the number of places in training colleges?

If the Deputy puts down a separate question I will get the information for him.

What policy does the Minister intend to pursue in relation to the vertical integration of the teaching profession?

If the Deputy is keen on vertical integration and wants information on it, I will provide him with the answer to the question.

12.