Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The same issues that we have talked about already apply to junior cycle reform and teacher training, although perhaps that does not come under this heading. The Minister is putting a lot of resources into professional training for the junior cycle, and yet one of two the unions involved is officially not taking part in it. How many hours are being paid for ASTI teachers who are not attending the courses? Is that a factor in how the Minister adds up his figures or does the Department only pay to cover the TUI members who are attending these particular courses?