Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Question 7: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has any concerns in relation to the non-availability of a textbook for project maths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30952/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Project Maths is currently being phased in at post-primary schools. The textbook is one of many tools a teachers uses to support the delivery of the curriculum. Project Maths emphasises a range of skills that are beyond the scope of any textbook. Successful implementation depends on the skills and pedagogical knowledge of teachers which are developed through continuing professional development, CPD, peer learning and exchanges of best practice. Continuing professional development has been and continues to be made available to every mathematics teacher in the country. There is also an extensive range of resources for teachers and students available at projectmaths.ie. From this September, a post-graduate diploma funded by the Department will be made available to out-of-field teachers of mathematics. Textbooks for Project Maths are available on the market. Publishers have been making available supplements to their textbooks to reflect the evolving syllabus.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for his reply. The person who was in contact with me subsequent to my tabling of the parliamentary question indicated that the problem was somewhat different, that textbooks were being introduced each year and that this added to the difficulty. Project Maths was rolled out originally in 2008 and it became a leaving certificate subject in 2010 in 24 schools, which was welcome. Ongoing professional development is important and the network of education centres, especially the education department in the University of Limerick, carry out important work for teachers. The initial information I received was contrary to what was indicated to me subsequently. The message from some in the educational community is that they hope a time will come when there will be a set textbook available rather than changes every year.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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An earlier question dealt with textbooks generally. We will consider the proliferation of textbooks but we are not in control of what publishers wish to produce. We try to give some guidelines on what individual mathematics teachers will use but I understand a range of teaching supports are available, including various printed material to assist in the teaching of Project Maths.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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It is important to recognise the engagement of mathematics teachers with this project as well. Often it is easy for people to knock the public service and those delivering services. This project emphasises the importance of ongoing professional development and the fact that these courses are developed. It is important to recognise the worthwhile engagement by teachers of mathematics. The recent announcement by the Minister is important in this regard as is the further involvement of the University of Limerick with the post-graduate diploma.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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During the past three years €8.7 million has been spent on continuing professional development for mathematics teachers to assist in making the transition from the traditional mathematics to Project Maths. We will continue to maintain that support.

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister's reply. I have raised this matter with the Minister previously but let us take a step back from Project Maths to before the child gets to that stage. The Minster has probably heard of the concern among primary teachers that the fundamentals of mathematics are being eroded all the time. Will the Minister consider the issue of the use of calculators in primary school sector in consultation with the NCCA? This is all before the child gets to the Project Maths stage. There is a temptation at primary level to take the lazy route if one has a calculator in one's hand. One may not understand what one is doing or one may not understand the fundamentals of the calculations one is expected to perform.

I echo the comments of Deputy Smith on the chopping and changing of text books. The sooner the publishers are brought in by the Department, the better, given the fact that families are struggling to try to put bread on the table. Textbooks are changing year in, year out and sometimes only one page and the front cover are being changed. This is of great concern to all of us.

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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There is an issue with non-availability. Is there a problem with Project Maths in the Irish language? I realise there is a similar difficulty in the North. Is there co-operation between the Department and the education system in the North to try to fill the gap? It makes sense to reach some sort of agreement.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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In regard to Deputy O'Donovan's question, I met the publishers and they have entered into a voluntary code of practice. They will not change textbooks that are less than four years old and will maintain a supply after that point to avoid the chopping and changing to which the Deputy referred. I remind him, however, that schools and individual teachers decide on the books and this is why I have encouraged schools to introduce book rental schemes. If a maths teacher wants to change a textbook for a second year course, 60 books may be required if there are two streams in the school. The book rental scheme would act as a deterrent to chopping and changing. I have seen examples of the same book being presented with different illustrations or other cosmetic changes. We are trying to deal with the matter but we have no responsibility as such for the textbooks and it is a matter for the teachers themselves to change them.

I am not clear on the position regarding the difficulty in sourcing Project Maths material as Gaeilge. As Deputy Crowe will possibly be aware, I have a very good working relationship with my counterpart, the Minister for Education in Northern Ireland, John O'Dowd, MLA. I will make contact with him to find out whether he is experiencing similar difficulties and if we can devise a joint response.