Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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267. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of plans to introduce a home economics teacher training course in a college (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6194/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Over the past number of years, my Department has been working on issues related to teacher supply in primary and post-primary schools. This work is led by the Teacher Supply Steering Group, chaired by the Secretary General of my Department.

The technical report prepared by my Department ‘Developing a Teacher Demand and Supply Model for Ireland 2020-2038’ outlines the complexity of projecting teacher demand and supply, in particular at post-primary level.

Work is under way to develop projections for post-primary teacher demand and supply at a subject level based on up-to-date data from a number of sources. The aim is to develop an effective model to indicate subject level projections for post-primary schools, as part of overall teacher demand and supply projections. This work is a key priority and will be central to informing teacher supply planning in coming years.

Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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268. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department has plans to address the anomaly which exists in respect of professional masters of education students who are required to attend Gaeltacht courses but receive no grant or financial aid. [6123/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The current requirements for Gaeltacht Learning Periods (GLPs) for primary Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes takes the form of 2 x 2 week placements, which are outlined in the Teaching Council’s Céim: Standards for Initial Teacher Education.

Budget 2020 provided for the re-instatement of the grant to cover the full cost of the Gaeltacht Learning Periods (GLPs) for undergraduate and post-graduate students on primary ITE programmes in the 4 State-funded higher education institutions providing primary ITE, with effect from the 2020/2021 academic year.  The grant was previously funded by my Department up to the 2012/2013 academic year, when it was ceased due to financial constraints.  This grant will be made available for undergraduate and post-graduate students in State-funded primary Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes only. This is in line with normal practice for other grant payments per students' qualifying requirements.