Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The purpose of the Teacher Fee Refund Schemeis to provide funding towards the cost of course participation and examination fees on successful completion of teacher professional learning courses. Courses which qualify should be directly relevant and of benefit to schools, school management, or teachers and should ultimately positively impact on teaching and learning.

Clare Education Centre administers the scheme on behalf of my Department. Each application is considered on a case by case basis. Appeals on decisions are reviewed by an appeals committee. I am satisfied that the process has been completed as outlined in the annual Circular (currently 0005/2023) governing the scheme in relation to this, and all applications.

The course undertaken in this case is a Masters in Psychotherapy specialising in Play Therapy. A qualification in psychotherapy is not a requirement for a primary school teacher. My Department has put in place a pilot programme of counselling and mental health supports for primary schools which commenced in September 2023.