Ms Phil Fox:

The 24 and 30 weeks are the school placements for student teachers throughout their programmes, depending on the model of provision. The droichead framework is not modular; it is a mechanism to supply mentoring support to newly qualified teachers in whatever context they find themselves and whatever the area that is of challenge to them. It might be working with parents or it might be working with children who have additional needs, including autism. It is high-level and flexible for that reason and the newly qualified teachers themselves identify the area of concern to them and the area where they need support in their learning. At primary level that is a minimum of 60 days and at post-primary level it is a minimum of 200 hours of engagement in the droichead framework.