David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

96. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of paying 80% of the entry level rate to student teachers on placement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22505/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

School Placement is a critical part of initial teacher education (ITE) as it enables the student teacher to experience teaching and learning in a variety of contexts, and to participate in school life in a way that is structured and supported.

As you are aware, the Teaching Council is the statutory body that sets and upholds the standards for entry to the profession and reviews and accredits programmes of teacher education and training provided by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the State. The Teaching Council has determined that 25% (30 weeks) of student time over the four years of undergraduate programmes and 40% (24 weeks) of student time over the two years of postgraduate programmes should be allocated to school placement.

The estimated cost of paying 80% of the entry level rate to primary and post-primary student teachers on placement would be approximately €50 million.