Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her plans to prioritise high quality in career professional development for teachers and principals in view of the ending in 2006 of in-service education related to the primary school curriculum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21837/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to thank the Deputy for the opportunity to outline the services in curriculum development provided at primary school level by the relevant support services/agencies. The Primary Curriculum Support Service (PCSP) was set up to mediate the Primary School Curriculum for teachers and to enable them to implement it in their schools. The programme of support delivered to date has spanned the introduction of the curriculum, in-service on specific curricular areas and consolidation and review of certain curricular areas.

The end of the academic year 2006/2007 saw the completion of the implementation schedule for the Primary School Curriculum. The PCSP is being maintained to provide targeted support and assistance to schools across the spectrum of curricular issues. The Regional Curriculum Support Service (RCSS) is part of the PCSP service for schools. RCSS Cuiditheoirí operate at local and regional level in co-operation with the Education Centre Network. They provide school visits, drop-in sessions and afternoon/evening workshops in Education Centres countrywide. Continuous Professional Development at primary level will focus on a number of specific areas moving from a traditional context based approach to an approach emphasising teaching methodologies and issues relating to teaching and learning, including the use of active learning and teaching approaches.

Leadership Development for Schools (LDS) is a DES initiative that started in 2002. Its brief is to provide professional development for school leaders at primary and post-primary level with a view to building capacity in schools towards sustained educational improvement for staff and children. The Support Service operates from Clare Education Centre and offers a range of programmes aimed at both experienced and newly appointed principals.

My Department also provides funding for continuing professional development to the Irish Primary Principals Network (IPPN) as a contribution to more effective and efficient teaching and learning in schools by providing the necessary skills and supports to principals. The provision of direct funding to the IPPN is done within the context of policy objectives and overall strategy in relation to continuing professional development, including the need for a regional and national dimension for any supported activity.

I hope the Deputy agrees that I continue, through the work of my Department, to make available in service support for teachers in the light of needs as they emerge.