I propose to take Questions Nos. 446 to 448, inclusive, together.
Support services are established by the in-career development unit of my Department for limited periods to provide inservice training for teachers involved in areas of substantial curriculum change. The periods in question would normally be of two to three years duration depending on the extent of the change.
Following an extensive pilot phase of inservice, a support service for CSPE teachers was set up at the beginning of the 1996-97 school year for a period of three years to the end of the school year 1998-99. Following a review of the position at that stage, having regard to the fact that the subject was being newly examined as part of the junior certificate and the interest indicated generally by teachers and schools for some further support, the period was extended to four years as an exceptional matter.
To date, the support service has provided an extensive programme of high quality inservice and other support in a variety of ways for the teachers concerned, involving the application of substantial personnel and financial resources. The considerable expertise developed by a large number of teachers through their involvement in providing this programme will facilitate greatly the provision of further courses on an ongoing basis.