John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 432: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the annual cost of in-service courses organised by second level service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43419/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In 2008 the Second Level Support Service has a budget of €4.092m. The budget covers the provision of support for a large number of curricular areas and programmes. In 2008-2009 the full range of subjects/programmes offered by SLSS are:

English;

Irish;

Mathematics;

History;

Geography;

Biology;

Physics;

Chemistry;

Junior Science;

Religious Education;

Civil, Social and Political Education;

Home Economics;

Student Councils;

Leaving Cert Applied (LCA);

Junior Cycle Schools Programme (JCSP);

Leaving Cert Vocational Programme (LCVP);

Transition Year (TY).

The SLSS supports second level teachers in curriculum implementation and continuing professional development. A feature of support is a focus on generic areas such as teaching and learning methodologies, the curriculum aspect of school development planning, independent learning skills, enterprise education, preparation for the world of work, school-industry-community links, citizenship education and literacy across the curriculum. The SLSS provides school-based support, staff development workshops, regional cluster-based support and modular courses. The service also produces journals and maintains an extensive web site and promotes and supports a range of ancillary projects and initiatives which enhance the provision of support to schools and teachers.