Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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Question 37: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a breakdown of the way money received in teacher's registration fees is currently being used by the Teaching Council. [30972/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Under Section 18 of the Teaching Council Act 2001, the Council publishes annual audited accounts which are laid before each House of the Oireachtas.

The annual accounts provide full details of the Council's income and expenditure for each year together with an up to date overview of its financial position including accumulated reserves.

The Teaching Council's annual accounts for 2011 show a surplus of c. €11m. Of this amount, €4m has been set aside by the Council to cater for contingencies. Interest on funds in 2011 amounted to €252,000 (2010 - €146,000). This interest forms part of the overall income of the Council.

The surplus finance will be used to meet the increased costs of the Council as it expands its role. As is often the case when legislation is introduced, it is on a phased basis. Some of the main functions of the Teaching Council have not yet been commenced. For example, in relation to Fitness to Teach; while this function is not yet commenced, there has been a huge amount of preparatory work done in advance so that the Council will be in a position to undertake this work when the relevant legislative provision is made. This function, along with others such as Probation, Induction and Continuous Professional Development will lead to a significant increase in Council expenditure and staffing needs in the future. I hope to be in a position to commence a number of further sections of the Act within the next 12 months.