Mr. Seán Ó Foghlú:

Similarly, we have an investment programme in place for the junior cycle. This is a good example of an area in which we would like to be in a position to allocate additional funding. It is certainly one of the areas being raised in dialogue with partners on the increasing demand for investment. We place huge value on investment in the teaching profession and greatly emphasise the need to upgrade it. This is being achieved by means of developments such as the establishment of the Teaching Council, the extension of the original teacher education courses and the amalgamation of the teacher education colleges. The amalgamation process has resulted in there now being only six centres as opposed to 19 separate institutions. In the context of pay, we are seeking to make teaching as attractive a career as possible. Under the Haddington Road agreement, we are in discussions with the unions about making arrangements to try to minimise the casualisation of teaching, particularly at second level. This is a major issue. We have a range of initiatives to support the teaching profession, of which continuous professional development is one.