John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 429: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the annual cost of whole school evaluations and subject inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43416/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Inspectorate is part of the Department of Education and Science, all costs associated with its work are paid from the administrative budget of the Department.

Whole school evaluations and subject inspections form just part of the Inspectorate's business plan in any given year. In 2007, for example, the Inspectorate carried out 303 whole school evaluations, 758 subject inspections, 23 programme evaluations, 23 evaluations of centres for education, the evaluation of 57 Irish-language summer colleges and the probation of 2,362 primary teachers (3 visits on average per teacher). The total number of inspections/evaluations carried out in 2007 was 3526.

In addition, inspectors were also involved in a wide range of other work such as participation in over 200 Section 29 cases (expulsion or refusal to enrol pupils by schools), the preparation of composite evaluation reports, continuing professional development, advice and support to schools and teachers and also in contributing to curriculum development and policy formulation & development.

It is not possible at present to separate out the costs specifically associated with whole school evaluations and subject inspections from other evaluations and from other costs incurred in carrying out the wider range of duties undertaken by inspectors. Other costs associated with the work of the Inspectorate include the Departmental secretarial and support services provided to support its evaluative and other work.

In 2007, there were 159 inspectors at various grades and the total gross salary cost for 2007 was €13,450,363. The total travel and subsistence expenses paid, in accordance with Civil Service rates, in 2007 was €1,688,886.