Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 603: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number, in respect of the SLSF scheme for primary education and the PPDS scheme for post-primary education, of teachers out of the classroom seconded to both of these programmes; the amount of money spent on each of these programmes over the past three years on respect of travel and subsistence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17692/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware the Primary Professional Development Service (PPDS) is an amalgamation of the Primary Curriculum Support Programme (PCSP) and the School Development Planning Service (SDPS). This amalgamation took place in September 2008. For the purpose of comparing figures, the numbers for both the PCSP and SDPS are shown in the following table for the years 2006/2007 and 2007/2008.

The reduction in expenditure at primary level since 2006 is reflective of the fact that the PCSP completed their intensive phase of support for the implementation of the revised primary curriculum in 2006. The Second Level Support Service (SLSS) provides support to teachers and school at post-primary level. The figures for travel and subsistence for both primary and post-primary do not relate to team expenses only. They also include travel and subsistence for teacher participants on in service. The figures also include travel and subsistence expenses for local facilitators at post primary level.

The increased secondment numbers for the SLSS in 2007 and 2008 reflect the fact that in 2007 priority areas were identified for additional secondees to meet system needs. A number of other services at post primary level had completed their intensive phase of support and were then integrated into SLSS with reduced teams in 2008.