Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
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441. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost for the provision of an additional two days in-service training for all primary teachers (details supplied) from 1 September to 31 December 2023 and for the period 1 January to 31 December 2024. [24209/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department promotes the quality of teaching and learning through the provision of continuing professional development (CPD) and supports for teachers and principals. The majority of this support is provided by the national teacher education support services and by local education centres. The national teacher education support services are the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST), Junior Cycle for Teachers (JCT), National Induction Programme for Teachers (NIPT) and the Centre for School Leadership (CSL).

The cost for the provision of in-service training for primary teachers depends on the mode of CPD delivery such as face-to-face, online, blended, in school support and whether the use of school closure days is considered or not. The provision of sub-cover is also another factor and is the highest cost driver.

In general, a traditional face to face CPD event will attract costs for facilitators, venue cost, travel and subsistence and substitute costs. A two day face to face event for all Primary teachers can be estimated at costing circa €20m assuming substitute cover is made available for all those teachers attending.