Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 673: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the details of the strategy to retain quality teachers in disadvantaged schools (details supplied). [19807/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Under DEIS, delivering equality of opportunity in schools, the new action plan for educational inclusion that I launched in May, the recruitment and retention of principals and teaching staff in schools serving disadvantaged communities is given particular focus. In addition, there will be a renewed emphasis on professional development for principals and teaching staff working in such schools.

To ensure that schools participating in the new school support programme, SSP, under the action plan can continue to attract and retain well qualified personnel a number of specific measures will be implemented on a phased basis. These will include reduced thresholds for the appointment of administrative principals in urban-town primary schools participating in the SSP; and a sabbatical leave scheme to create opportunities for principals and teachers who have served for a defined period in a school participating in the SSP to apply to undertake a period of development to enhance their own learning and effectiveness, and bring subsequent benefits to their students and their school. In addition, a new initiative on pre-service and in-service professional development will be designed and implemented on a phased basis for principals, teachers and other personnel in schools serving disadvantaged communities.