Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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93. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of teacher upskilling programmes for STEM subjects such as maths, physics and chemistry which were run in each year since 2018; the location of each course; the cost of each course; the number of teachers who completed each course; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36328/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Ensuring that every child's experience in school is positive and that they have qualified, engaged teachers available to support them in their learning is a priority area of action for the Government.

A steering group on teacher supply was established in my Department in 2018. The Teacher Supply Steering Group leads on the identification of issues, and the development of a programme of actions on teacher supply.

The Teacher Supply Action Plan, published in November 2018, contains a range of actions including the development of programmes to upskill existing teachers in targeted subject areas. Upskilling programmes are provided over two years on a part-time basis and are available for registered teachers to upskill in subjects where teacher supply is constricted. These programmes are free of cost to participants. My Department and the Higher Education Authority (HEA) issued a funding call in 2019 to initial teacher education (ITE) providers for upskilling programmes in mathematics, physics and Spanish. Following the successful completion of the funding call, these programmes commenced in January 2021.

There are currently over 270 students on the maths upskilling programme provided by University of Limerick (UL). Since 2021, over 400 students have completed this programme. To-date, the Department has paid over €5.14m towards this programme.

There are currently over 40 students on the physics upskilling programme provided by Dublin City University. Since 2021, over 100 students have completed this programme. To-date, the Department has paid almost €2.38m towards this programme.

Budget 2024 included the expansion of upskilling programmes including computer science, free to teachers, aimed at increasing the number of qualified teachers in high-demand subjects and reducing out-of-field teaching. Budget 2025 continued funding for these upskilling courses.

In addition to computer science, new programmes in Irish, French, politics & society are due to commence in 2025, will complement existing programmes in maths, physics, and Spanish. Technological University Dublin will deliver the new computer science upskilling programme for post-primary teachers which is due to commence in September.

I am considering further measures to strengthen the teaching workforce and ensure that schools have the support needed to provide an excellent education for every student.