Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 29 Feb 2000

Vol. 515 No. 3

Written Answers. - Inservice Training.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

336 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that at least 40 teachers, providing learning support services in County Wexford, south County Wicklow and south County Carlow, do not hold qualifications in learning support; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that there are long waiting lists for existing recognised learning support diploma courses in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Sligo, which are inconvenient for teachers based in the south-east region; if an appropriate diploma course will be outreached to the new education centre in Enniscorthy, County Wexford, which will open in September 2000; if he will ensure that a decision in this matter is made before the April deadline for enrolment in existing courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6169/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

As part of their pre-service training, all teachers undergo curriculum courses on the teaching of literacy and numeracy to pupils of different abilities. Class teachers have the competence and the responsibility to match their teaching to the needs and abilities of their pupils, including pupils with learning difficulties in the area of literacy and numeracy.

The ultimate responsibility for pupils with learning difficulties lies with the class teacher even where a special support teacher is in place to give the pupils additional help. It would be incorrect to suggest that the qualified class teacher would not already have the skills and competencies to work with pupils with learning difficulties.

Learning support-remedial teachers have access to additional training because of their dedicated role in supporting numbers of pupils with learning difficulties. My Department arranges for a number of such teachers to attend special courses at six colleges each year. The courses are geographically spread, two in Dublin and one each in Sligo, Galway, Limerick and Cork. The number of graduates from these courses over the two years 1998 and 1999 was 148 and 158 respectively; for the year 1999-00, 172 applicants were given places on the courses.

The staff in these colleges have other responsibilities in teacher training besides those specifically associated with the training of learning support teachers. It is considered that, having regard to the range of courses which these colleges are required to provide and the level of expertise required in this area, the present geographical spread of courses represents the most suitable and feasible arrangement that can be made.

Many shorter inservice courses for learning support-remedial teachers are financially supported by my Department. These are provided mainly through the network of education centres, teachers organisations and the programme of summer courses for teachers. Further in-service will be provided to meet evolving requirements of these teachers. The intention would be to involve the education centre at Enniscorthy, as well as other education centres, to the greatest extent possible in any developments there will be.