asked the Minister for Education the number of this year's graduates of the teacher training colleges who are currently unemployed; and the steps he is taking to ensure their employment.

23.

asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the high level of unemployment among qualified national school teachers; the number who are seeking employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 23 together.

The time lag in submitting appointments for sanction makes it impossible to have up-to-date, accurate figures on any temporary unemployment among qualified national school teachers. In any even, I am satisfied that the improvements in the pupil-teacher ratio, which I announced to take effect from 1 July 1978 and 1 January 1979, and the creation of additional posts as remedial teachers are sufficient to provide posts for all such teachers to take up appointments.

Has the Minister even an estimated total of the number of primary teachers who are at present looking for jobs and who cannot get them?

No, I have not. It is an exceedingly difficult thing to do because there is a time lag so far as sanction for appointments is concerned. We have no way of knowing how many teachers qualify and do not take up teaching immediately, no way of knowing how many indulge in further research and no way of knowing how many leave the country. There is a small percentage of such people each year.

Is it not the responsibility of the Minister to reduce this time lag in sanctioning appointments?

If they come to me for sanction I have them sanctioned immediately on being assured that the teachers in question have the necessary qualifications.

Would the Minister consider asking the INTO to establish a register of qualified teachers so that we would have this kind of information available?

I am convinced there is no major problem in this regard. I am convinced also that by my own policy there will be a full absorption of all the qualified teachers available.

By 1 January?

If the Minister has not an estimate of the figures, as he has admitted, how can he establish a policy in relation to the employment of such teachers?

I know the number of pupils in the schools. I know what is my objective with regard to pupil-teacher ratio. I can assure the Deputy we will absorb all our qualified teachers and we will be delighted to have them.

If the Minister does not know how many unemployed teachers there are, how can he establish a policy in this matter?