I propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 10, 66, 70, 72, 75, 92 and 97 together.
In-service training of teachers at second level has always been a permanent and integral part of my Department's educational provision.
I am fully aware of the importance of in-service training for the quality of the education service we provide in our schools. It was for this reason that I have in recent years, despite severe resource constraints, devoted substantially increased resources to inservice training. For example, the provision for post-primary inservice training in 1987 was of the order of £250,000 compared with a provision of £750,000 this year. That represents an increase of 200 per cent.
In this context, substantial resources have been devoted to in-service training relating to the introduction of the new junior certificate. I have indicated that I am setting aside two to three days in each school year over a three year period to enable all teachers of the new syllabuses to avail themselves of in-service training related to the teaching of the new programme. Three in-service days have already been held at regional locations.
In tandem with the special provision for junior certificate syllabuses, it has been possible to continue the ongoing regular programme of inservice courses.
Quite apart from all this, I am at present giving consideration to future in-service needs. At my request, officials of my Department have had discussions with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment about the scope and form of a major review of in-service training. I would expect that concrete proposals for such a review will be submitted for my approval in the near future.