If bringing up the next generation is important, why aren't they the best qualified, the best paid? Why aren't we as concerned about their career progression as we are about those who work in the education or health services?

The need for improved technical support in schools has expanded as the Government and schools have increased their investment in information and communications technologies.

By creating useful job descriptions and making clear what qualifications should be expected, the Department aims to help improve schools' ability to recruit the right people.

I do recognise that, where recruitment difficulties persist, teachers can be put under great pressure.

It is a very unusual sector and the one thing I would ask of them is to understand that for most of them one-third of their films are being financed by the taxpayer and that carries huge accountability and responsibility.

If you invent the Mini Cooper, pour all your energy and passion into it and it gets made, you should be on a roll. In the film industry you have to start again the next day.

My Department has already recognised this and has been working specifically on the technical support issue since January and will offer advice to schools during the Autumn term.