Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 18 Feb 1999

Vol. 500 No. 6

Written Answers. - Teaching Practice.

Joe Higgins

Question:

126 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the prohibitive costs involved for student teachers at the University of Limerick in both the second and final years of their study; and his views on whether travel, accommodation and class materials costs constitute an exceptional burden upon these students. [4713/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

Teaching practice is not a paid activity in any institution and is viewed as training rather than employment. It is an integral part of the curriculum of the degree programmes in education and there is no special financial assistance available to students for this aspect of their course.

I would point out that the four year second-level teacher education programmes in the University of Limerick are approved courses for the purposes of the higher education grants scheme. Under the terms of that scheme, grant holders who are required to participate in off-campus placement as an integral part of their course may have their grant entitlement paid in the normal manner. Accordingly, student teachers who are eligible for grant assistance continue to receive their entitlements while undertaking teaching practice.