Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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645. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of the induction workshops for newly qualified teachers for every year since it was introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28970/17]

Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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646. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a similar level of continuous professional development courses are available to teachers other than newly qualified teachers under the induction programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28971/17]

Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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647. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to conduct a value for money review of the quality and efficiency of the workshops available to newly qualified teachers under the induction workshop programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28972/17]

Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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648. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to consult with newly qualified teachers in terms of enhancing the quality, utility and effectiveness of workshops available to newly qualified teachers under the induction programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28973/17]

Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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649. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there is an evaluation of teacher satisfaction carried out after the workshops undertaken by newly qualified teachers under the induction programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28974/17]

Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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650. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the content of the workshops offered to newly qualified teachers under the induction workshop programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28975/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 645 to 650, inclusive, together.

The National Induction Programme for Teachers (NIPT) facilitates a Workshop Programme for newly qualified primary and post-primary teachers (NQTs). The Workshop Programme consists of a series of 14 primary and 13 post-primary workshops, facilitated by practising teachers who have received training from NIPT. It is a Teaching Council registration requirement for NQTs to participate in the Workshop Programme.  

The workshops are interactive and based on practical learning experiences. Opportunities are afforded to NQTs to build on the learning experiences at Initial Teacher Education (ITE) level and to engage in professional dialogue with other NQTs, based on current learning experiences and needs. The NQT can select which workshops to attend based on their own learning needs and this provides the NQT with flexibility, offers them self-direction and empowers professional development.  The topics covered by the Workshops are covered at the ITE stage from a theoretical perspective whereas the NIPT workshops adopt a more practical approach to supporting NQTs, reflecting their class-based working context during the induction year.  The topics are informed by feedback from NQTs, facilitators, schools, national and international research and system needs.  

The feedback and evaluations from the Workshop Programme show a very high level of satisfaction from NQTs. Over 95% of NQTs agreed or strongly agreed that the Workshop Programme is effective and that the networking opportunities arising from attendance are extremely valuable.

The current workshop programme, while it will continue to be available to NQT's following the traditional route of Probation via the Inspectorate, will be phased out over the growth phase of the new Integrated Framework of Induction, Droichead.

NIPT provides Continuous Professional Development (CPD) for practicing teachers by providing Professional Support Team (PST) Training to those engaged in the support and mentoring of NQT's under the Droichead Programme. Prior to the advent of Droichead NIPT provided initial mentor training to experienced teachers in almost 1,200 schools.

NIPT also provides training/CPD for teachers who work as part-time Associates with NIPT and for those who work as Facilitators of the workshop programme at local level in Education Centres. Other professional development is provided to experienced teachers and NQT's at shared learning days and other larger scale events. 

CPD for practicing teachers is also provided by other support services, PDST, NCSE, JCT, provided by Education Centres based on local needs and also by private providers.

The costs of the workshops are not readily available in my Department. I will arrange for them to be sent directly to the Deputy.