Ms Martina Mannion:

If the Chair does not mind I might add that the Deputy raised a very important question about the teachers who are already in the system, and how they are supporting the children. Ms Fannin talked a little bit about the initial teacher training but obviously, the continuing professional development and training is for the teachers in the system. Our national agency is now Oide. This was previously our Professional Development Service for Teachers, PDST, our Junior Cycle for Teachers, JCT and education centres. They are now in a single entity called Oide, which is providing ongoing continuing professional development, CPD. It provides online and face-to-face courses. There is also funding for 295 teachers per year to pursue a level 9 postgraduate diploma in special education. That includes block release for eight weeks for face-to-face engagement. There are 18 places on the Dublin City University postgraduate certificate for pupils on the autism spectrum. There is also funding for 25 teachers on the St Angela's College, Sligo postgraduate certificate and diploma in professional development. Separately, the NCSE provides a lot of training. In 2022, over 5,226 teachers participated in professional development and learning with the NCSE.

My point is we are not just focusing on the initial teacher training. Obviously that is very important but we want to ensure that we are finding a way to support all the teachers in the system as well.