The Education Minister has given the go-ahead for a major restructuring of teacher training colleges. Under the plans St. Patrick's teacher Training College, Thurles and Letterfrack, Co. Galway would be closed.
Meanwhile, the remaining existing institutions will be merged into six 'Centres for Teacher Education'.
There are currently 19 state-funded institutions and 3 private colleges.
Minister Ruairi Quinn has asked the Higher Education Authority to submit a detailed report, before the end of the year, on how to implement the recommendations.
