Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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426. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of providing continual professional development for teachers annually for the past ten years; the number of teachers and principals in each of the past ten years attending; the way the development is structured; if there is a set number of hours to be attended; the difference between teacher and principal development; if she will provide details of the new leadership centre recently announced; if her Department provides financial support to teachers participating in additional educational qualifications (details supplied); if her Department's inspectorate plays a role in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19458/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The following table gives detail on the number of participants in CPD and expenditure for the period 2006-2015. CPD is provided by Department funded support services in a variety of formats including seminars, workshops, on line and in school support in key priority areas for schools in the primary and post primary sector.

CPD is not currently compulsory, however, the Teaching Council Act 2001 is being amended in the Teaching Council (Amendment) Bill 2015 which is currently progressing through the Houses of the Oireachtas. It is intended that the remaining sections of the Act, including section 39, which deals with CPD for teachers, will be commenced as soon as practicable after enactment of the Bill. Following commencement of section 39, requirements to be met for renewal of registration may include satisfactory completion of programmes of continuing education and training accredited under section 39.

Currently, training for school leaders is provided as an integral part of any curricular reform programme. In addition, school leaders avail of opportunities and supports provided by the Professional Development Service for Teachers, the Irish Primary Principals Networks (IPPN) and the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD).

I recently announced the establishment of the Centre for School Leadership (CSL) which is a partnership between my Department, IPPN and NAPD. I have set out a number of key objectives for the CSL and will make available €3m over the first three years of the project. The CSL is intended to become a centre of excellence for school leaders, and the partnership will have many benefits for the profession in terms of the quality of training programmes, coordination of provision, and increased accessibility. The Centre will be headed by a Director who will be an experienced school principal. He or she will be supported by two other experienced school leaders, one each from the primary and post-primary sectors. The team will be recruited in the coming weeks. The Centre's responsibilities will cover the range of leadership development for school leaders, from pre-appointment training and induction of newly appointed principals, to continuing professional development throughout careers.

My Department also funds a Teacher Fee Refund Scheme for teachers and principals. The Scheme currently provides funding towards the cost of course participation and examination fees on successful completion of professional development courses that are directly relevant and of benefit to schools. While this scheme is administered on behalf of my Department by Marino Institute of Education, my Department's Inspectorate play a role in determining which courses meet the criteria for the Scheme.