Written answers

Tuesday, 24 May 2016

Department of Education and Skills

Teachers' Professional Development

Photo of Carol NolanCarol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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175. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the level of mandatory continuous professional development required for teachers in relation to the education of children with special educational needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11556/16]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I would like to assure the Deputy of this Government's commitment to ensuring that all children with special educational needs can have access to an education appropriate to their needs.

The Teaching Council's Policy Paper on the Continuum of Teacher Education set the criteria for providers of initial teacher education and provides that special needs education is a mandatory component of all programmes of initial teacher education accredited by the Council.

When Section 39 of the Teaching Council Acts 2001- 2015 is commenced, the Teaching Council may require teachers to engage in continuing professional development as a condition of renewal of registration. In preparation for commencement, the Teaching Council is continuing to engage with stakeholders in developing Cosán, its policy on teacher learning (continuing professional development).

My Department recognises that specialised training and continuing professional development (CPD) is important for staff working with children with special educational needs and supports the provision of CPD through the Special Education Support Service (SESS) which was specifically established for this purpose. SESS co-ordinates and delivers a range of professional development initiatives and support structures for school personnel working with students with special educational needs. Over 16,000 teachers accessed CPD through SESS in 2015.

My Department also funds Post-Graduate Programmes for approximately 400 teachers involved in Learning Support and special education annually.

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