Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 558: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress to date on the development of the sabbatical element of the DEIS scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39100/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, one of the elements to my Department's DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) plan for education inclusion provides an opportunity for schools participating in the School Support Programme (SSP) to avail of a sabbatical scheme open to both primary and post-primary levels.

This sabbatical scheme is being introduced to create opportunities for school leaders (Principals, Deputies and Assistants) and teachers, who have served for a defined period in a DEIS school, to undertake a period of professional development to enhance their own learning and effectiveness within the context of the SSP. Participants will be required to bring the benefits of this professional development back to their school where it will be expected to positively impact upon teaching and learning, leading to improved student outcomes.

The scheme is being established to ensure that schools in the SSP can continue to attract and retain well-qualified personnel to positions of leadership and teaching on an ongoing basis. The scheme also recognises that professional development can perform an important role in supporting schools participating in the SSP through targeted interventions which focus on key personnel who can bring the benefit of their experience back into their school.

A significant degree of progress has occurred to date and discussions have been held with stakeholders across the education sector on the nature of the scheme and the possible professional development opportunities to be covered by it. At the same time, research is being undertaken into the application of similar schemes in other jurisdictions.

Following a consultation process involving the stakeholders across the education sector, it is intended that a Circular on the scheme will issue in due course inviting applications.