Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 34: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding grants available for teachers who wish to pursue a postgraduate qualification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44379/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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In general, there are no grants payable directly to teachers to obtain a postgraduate qualification. However, the Teacher Education Section does pay tuition fees directly to colleges for teachers who undertake a number of post-graduate programmes in the area of Special Educational Needs. The Deputy might be interested to note that teachers who successfully complete certain post-graduate programmes in the area of Special Educational Needs also qualify for payment of an additional allowance provided that they satisfy all the other criteria for eligibility.

It should also be noted that where a teacher successfully completes certain other accredited courses and subject to certain other criteria, an allowance may be payable to teachers. This would include basic teaching qualifications with varying allowances for honours and pass and certain post-graduate qualifications.

The Teacher Education Section also manages the Teacher Fee Refund Scheme. This scheme was initiated in 1998, under the Programme for Cooperation and Work (PCW) to provide funding towards the cost of the course and examination fees incurred by primary and post primary teachers on successful completion of in-career development courses. The courses must be relevant to the teaching profession and approved by the Department and school authorities. Qualifying courses must be of benefit to their schools as well as of benefit professionally to the teacher concerned.