Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 609: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of whole school evaluations and subject inspections carried out at primary and second level each year since 2004 to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4395/09]

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

In the 2004-2008 period, whole-school evaluations were conducted in 933 primary schools as follows:

In the 2004–2008 period, subject inspections (post-primary) were conducted as follows:

Whole-school evaluations (WSE) and subject inspections form just part of the Inspectorate's business plan in any given year. Inspectors are involved in a wide range of other work such as programme evaluations, the preparation of composite and thematic evaluation reports on aspects of educational provision in schools, inspection of primary teachers on probation and participation in appeal boards established under Section 29 of the Education Act. Inspectors also provide advice on an on-going basis to various sections within the Department on policy issues including teacher education, special education, and qualifications, curriculum and assessment policy.

With regard to 2009, as part of the wider programme of work outlined above, it is intended to conduct 256 WSEs at primary level, 64 WSEs at post-primary level and 560 subject inspections.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 610: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the level of expenditure which has been allocated by his Department to whole school evaluations and subject inspections at primary level and second level each year since the introduction of such inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4396/09]

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

I wish to inform the Deputy that information in relation to overall inspectorate costs is currently being compiled and will be incorporated in a reply to the Deputy shortly.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 611: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the proportion of his budget which has been allocated to accommodation and other expenses for inspectors carrying out whole school evaluations and subject inspections each year since the introduction of such inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4397/09]

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

I take the Deputy's reference to accommodation and other expenses as being the travel and subsistence costs incurred by inspectors while carrying out whole-school evaluations and subject inspections.

The travel and subsistence costs associated with conducting whole-school evaluations and subject inspections are not recorded separately from the total travel and subsistence costs associated with the entire work programme of the Inspectorate division of my Department. In that context it should be noted that, in addition to whole-school evaluations and subject inspections, Inspectors are involved in a wide range of other work such as programme evaluations, the preparation of composite and thematic evaluation reports on aspects of educational provision in schools, inspection of primary teachers on probation and participation in appeal boards established under Section 29 of the Education Act. Inspectors also provide advice on an on-going basis to various sections within the Department on policy issues including teacher education, special education, and qualifications, curriculum and assessment policy.

While it is not possible to provide the Deputy with specific travel and subsistence costs in respect of whole-school evaluations and subject inspections, I can provide details of the total travel and subsistence expenses associated with the complete work programme of the Inspectorate division, for each year since 2004, as set out below

The total budget allocation for my Department in 2008 was €9.3 billion. The gross travel and subsistence expenses for the Inspectorate in 2008 amounted to €1,558,952. Therefore, the proportion of the Department's total budget which was allocated to cover the travel and subsistence expenses incurred in respect of the entire work programme of the Inspectorate in 2008 was 0.0168%.