Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire inniu. I welcome the opportunity to discuss the role of the Teaching Council of Ireland in the important roll-out of education and the standard of teaching in all sectors, including primary, post-primary and further education. Education is beneficial for the public good and is a fundamental right for every citizen at a certain age to obtain the benefits of education. It defines who we are as a people and who we are as a nation. I very much welcome the new provision under section 30 of the Act for the enhanced role of the Teaching Council of Ireland and for compulsory registration. The Teaching Council of Ireland will have a number of roles, for example scrutiny, co-ordination and assisting in determining the teacher capacity in the State, which will give the Department an idea of the future demands for teachers of certain subjects, such as maths, English or Irish in the State. It is vitally important that the Department of Education and Skills would have an absolute command of the number of teachers in the system and projected demands, whether demographic or industry-led demands. Obviously there will be a cost associated with this, but I am not sure what it will be. Will the Minister clarify whether the Department will meet the additional cost, which I understand it will, or that the Teaching Council of Ireland will be asked to meet some of the additional costs, given it holds in the region of €11 million in its own bank account. Should the taxpayer be expected to carry additional costs when there is money in the bank?