Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 126: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the in-career development and training provided to teachers in first, second and further education sectors; the average time spent by teachers in career development and the training provided by parents and school management involved at first and second levels. [22534/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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In 2011 there were 130,679 training places provided by my Department funded support services for teachers. This figure includes the primary and post primary sector. Each year Vocational Education Committees (VEC) are allocated funding for the delivery of a Continuing Professional Development programme for Youthreach, Senior Traveller Training Centre (STTC) and Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) staff. The most recent returns from VECs indicate that 44,636 training hours were provided.

The amount of time a teacher spends on in-service varies in accordance with school and Departmental priorities and the availability of resources. Current priorities include Project Maths and literacy and numeracy. My Department also provides funding to the Management Bodies and the National Parent Councils for the provision of training to parents and Boards of Management. In 2011 there were 1,486 training places provided in both Primary and Post Primary sectors. There will be an increase in the number of participants in 2012 given that there are new Boards of Management in place at primary level.