Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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773. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the amount that was spent on the rebranding of, and new logo for, the Teaching Council, which was funded by the annual levies of teachers nationwide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11357/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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In accordance with the Teaching Council Act 2001, the Teaching Council is the statutory body for the regulation of the teaching profession, including the recognition of teaching qualifications and the registration of teachers

The decision of the Teaching Council to change its logo was an operational matter for the Council. The Council is self-financing and the cost of this change was not met by Oireachtas or public funds.

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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774. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the Teaching Council of Ireland has over €16 million of teachers' levies (details supplied) in a bank account, while paying its chief executive officer a salary of over €108,000; her views that this surplus should be to reduce the annual levy, or be invested in the schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11368/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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In accordance with the Teaching Council Act 2001, the Teaching Council is the body with statutory responsibility for the regulation of the teaching profession, including recognition of teaching qualifications and the registration of teachers.

The Teaching Council is self-financing; it is not financed from Oireachtas or public funds and its income is derived mainly from teacher registration fees. The balance held by the Council was €13.4m at the end of 2014 and it is projected to reduce to €12.3m at the end of 2015. The salary of the CEO is €97,981. In accordance with the Teaching Council Act, the Council's Annual Report, including the financial statement, is laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas each year.

The cost base of the Council will increase significantly when certain sections of the Teaching Council Act relating to core functions are commenced, which should be in the near future. The accumulated funds will be used, among other things, to meet these extra costs and it is also considered prudent that the Council maintain a reserve.

The fee for registering as a teacher with the Teaching Council is substantially less than for other professions and it is intended that it remain at its current level for the foreseeable future.