Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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181. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will request the professional development service for teachers to review the level of continuous professional development for teachers of mathematics particularly in the Cork area in which an absence of such a service is reported by teachers. [51548/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The new post-primary mathematics curriculums were introduced in 2010.  Continuing Professional Development (CPD) was developed to support the implementation of the revised curriculums and has been made available to all teachers of mathematics.

The Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST), since September last, has assumed responsibility for CPD support in this area.  A priority for this service is the provision of support for post primary teachers of mathematics in the development of the pedagogical content knowledge and teaching skills.

The following CPD has been offered to all teachers in Cork since 2010.

- 374 distinct workshops over a 5 year-period through Cork Education Centres;

- A suite of 410 Modular Content & ICT courses over a 5-year period through Cork Education Centres;

- 14 Seminars over a one-year period through Cork Education Centres.

Please see figures below which compare take up in Cork to that nationwide. 

Currently, support is targeted through national and regional training days, national conferences, school visits, on-line support and Lesson Study local groups.

PDST's staffing and work plans are reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure effective and adequate delivery of CPD for teachers nationwide. All schools have the opportunity to apply for support.

In these circumstances I have no plans to review the level of service available.

Primary

Current professional development supports available to teachers for Primary Mathematics include elective workshops, seminars and school based support including Lesson Study and Maths Recovery training and support.

57 primary schools in the Cork area have received school support since September as well as access to the events detailed below which are available through Cork and West Cork Education Centres.

Training: