Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate she has made of the number of retired teachers who subsequently returned to teach for limited periods in primary schools for the most recent 12 month period for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement about opportunities for recently trained teachers. [65959]
§ Mr. McFall673 retired teachers were re-employed in primary schools on a temporary basis during the 1997–98 school year.
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Board/NHS trusts Linkage complete Linkage planned by 31 March 1999 Argyll and Clyde Health Board Yes Argyll and Bute NHS Trust Yes Inverclyde Royal NHS Trust Yes Lomond Healthcare NHS Trust Yes Renfrewshire Healthcare NHS Trust Yes Royal Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust Yes The Department of Education has advised employing authorities and schools that, wherever possible, preference should be given to newly qualified teachers or experienced teachers seeking to return to employment, when filling vacancies, including those of a temporary nature.
In the year after qualification, the vast majority of around 650 teachers who qualify each year should obtain teaching posts. For example, a total of only 11 primary and secondary school teachers of age 24 years or under were registered as unemployed for more than 6 months at the end of the 1997–98 school year.