Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 119 together.

The Professional Master of Education (PME) is a two-year, full-time Level 9 postgraduate professional teacher education programme designed to qualify graduates as primary & post-primary teachers.

Changes to the duration and content of initial teacher education programmes were made in response to recommendations in the National Strategy to Improve Literacy and Numeracy among children and Young People 2011-2020 and were incorporated into the Teaching Council’s accreditation standards. What had been the ‘H-Dip’ of 18 months at primary and 1 year at post-primary became the two-year Professional Master of Education for both. The standards were arrived at following extensive research and consultation with regard to the programme that would be required in order to develop the skills, knowledge, understanding, and professional values expected of newly qualified teachers.

The reforms were focused on improving the quality of teaching and learning in schools, which is central to the educational outcomes of children. The extended duration allowed for substantial periods of school placement and a number of mandatory elements in all programmes including literacy and numeracy and ICT in teaching and learning. These standards were recently updated by the Council in Céim (2020) which reaffirms that post-graduate Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes shall be a minimum of two years’ duration.

The extensive nature of curriculum and assessment reforms over the past decade, and the more complex legislative and regulatory context within which teachers and schools operate, have made teaching an even higher-order challenge. Expanded pedagogical approaches and a focus on learner-centred processes have resulted in greater demands on teachers to reach and demonstrate high professional standards. The requirements for ITE are a significant factor in the high quality of our teaching profession in Ireland, which is recognised at home and abroad.

The current requirements for Gaeltacht Learning Periods (GLPs) for primary ITE programmes takes the form of 2 x 2 week placements and provides for an immersive educational programme through the medium of Irish in a Gaeltacht setting for all students. These requirements also 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 in State-funded primary ITE programmes, 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. The rate of student grant for 2023 has been set at an average of €815. This will cover the cost of the undertaking the fortnightly course in 2023. This grant will be made available for undergraduate and post-graduate students in State-funded primary Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes.

It is acknowledged that there are challenges around the availability of teachers at present. While there are currently no plans to reduce the current duration of the postgraduate programmes to one year, the Department's ongoing approach is to continue to develop further innovative measures to improve the availability of teachers.