Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

325. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will establish a pilot programme (details supplied) for students; if the Department will cover the cost of teacher training in this topic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45622/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I refer to your correspondence relating to the establishment of a pilot programme to teach children with dyslexia to read and a programme of teaching training of primary school teachers to do the same.

The quality of our teaching profession is a critical factor in sustaining and enhancing the quality of education outcomes. The Department promotes the quality of teaching and learning through the provision of continuing professional development and supports for teachers and principals. The Department ensures that a range of high-quality models of CPD is provided to teachers and school leaders through its support services, the national network of Education Centres and appropriate groups, bodies and institutions who are empowered to design, develop and deliver CPD programmes, and also to ensure that valuable teacher student contact time is protected.

Teacher Education Section do not accredit CPD for external providers. Provision for teachers is supported through the Departments teacher support services like the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) and Junior Cycle for Teachers (JCT).

A potential avenue for external course provision is through the summer course programme for primary teachers for which applications are invited in January of each year. This notice is posted on the www.ecdrumcondra.ie website.

The Summer course Providers’ Booklet (2022) sets out the administrative requirements and criteria for the approval and delivery of summer courses, which carry an entitlement of extra personal vacation (EPV) days for primary teachers. The summer course programme is administered by the Drumcondra Education Centre (DEC). Only summer courses approved by the Department of Education, on the recommendation of the Inspectorate, are eligible for EPV days for primary teachers under the terms of Rule 58 in Rules for National Schools.