Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Question 51: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the annual cost to him of in-service training for primary teachers; the role the Teaching Council of Ireland plays in providing in-service training days; the annual budget for the Teaching Council of Ireland; the way the estimated €5.4 million paid to the Teaching Council of Ireland in teacher registration fees is being used; if the provision of in-service training days could be transferred from him to the Teaching Council of Ireland as a cost saving measure and provided for by the teacher registration fee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38308/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Teaching Council Act 2001 (Section 39) enables the Teaching Council to review and accredit programmes relating to the continuing education of teachers. Planning for the commencement of the section is underway. The Teaching Council is self-funding. It raises its funds from, in the main part, teachers' initial registration and renewal of registration fees. The annual registration fee is currently €90.

The Council's current annual income is c.€6.6m. Its main costs are staff and administration, accommodation, registration, communication and education, and information technology. Each year the Council publishes an annual report on its activities which is laid before the House. The report also contains audited financial statements. The Council currently discharges a range of functions relating to initial teacher education and the setting of standards for the teaching profession. The annual cost (excluding salary) of continuing professional development for teachers is approximately €23.5m. Transfer of provision of this service to the Teaching Council would require a substantial increase in the annual registration fee payable by teachers if it were to be funded from within the Council's resources. I have no plans at present to ask the Council to fund and provide this service.