Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 481: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the leadership and human relationship courses prioritised by his Department for school principals, which are of importance in relation to motivation and encouragement of staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41738/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Since 2003 the Leadership Development for Schools Programme (LDS) has expanded the range of supports and services that it offers to school leaders and over 10,000 teachers from principals to middle managers have successfully completed LDS module programmes such as Misneach, Spreagadh, Forbairt, Tánáiste, Cumasú and Cothú. This investment has now led us to a point where there are structured professional development opportunities for all school leaders in our system from their point of appointment to day of retirement.

Both Misneach and Tánaiste are professional development programmes for newly appointed school Principals and Deputy Principals respectively, Spreagadh is a programme for Primary Principals and Forbairt is a professional development programme for experienced school Principals. Cumasú is for Leaders in DEIS schools and Cothú is a programme for leaders in special schools. All the programmes mentioned consist of various modules which include leadership skills, motivating and inspiring staff in schools as well as self motivation for the leaders themselves.

In September 2008 LDS, in conjunction with NUI Maynooth, introduced Tóraíocht, a formal training programme for aspiring school leaders. The Tóraíocht Programme was designed in conjunction with the Department of Education at Maynooth and the wider educational partners and responds to the need for motivation and professional development that prepares school leaders of the future. This Programme has been highly successfully with the first cohort of students scheduled to graduate in March 2010.