§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) part-time and (b) full-time classroom assistants were employed in Northern Ireland's schools in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement on (i) the recruitment and (ii) the retention of classroom assistants in Northern Ireland. [150678]
§ Jane KennedyThe information requested is as follows.
Part-time Full-time 19971 2,181 705 19981 2,696 748 19991 3,019 793 20001 3,273 815 20011 3,558 886 2002 4,157 1,137 2003 5,133 1,178 1 Figures for Voluntary Grammar Schools and Grant Maintained Integrated Schools are not available for these years. Recruitment and retention of Classroom Assistants does not pose any difficulties, in Northern Ireland.