Jim Mitchell
Question:46 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has satisfied himself with the level of investment in the upgrading of teacher skills which is occurring here. [16140/00]
Written Answers. - Teaching Qualifications.
The level of investment in upgrading teacher skills has increased substantially since 1994 when the in-career development unit of my Department was established with a remit to develop, resource, manage and monitor a programme of inservice training for teachers. The level of funding for this programme has grown steadily in the intervening years from £4 million in 1994 to over £17.6 million in the current year.
This considerable investment enables a wide range of training and support for teachers to be provided. This is done through the development of the national education centre network, the provision of national programmes associated with curricular change and innovation, including major programmes such as the support programmes for the revised primary curriculum and the IT 2000 initiative, and the provision of courses designed to meet the ongoing professional development needs of teachers.
The extent of the investment in this area is kept under constant review and my intention is that funding will continue to be made available to provide a satisfactory level of in-career development support for the teaching profession.