Vol. 571 No. 3
68 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Education and Science the changes which have been made in the payment of expenses to teachers who attend inservice training programmes during out of school hours; if his attention has been drawn to the concern expressed by teachers regarding these changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21520/03]
No alterations have been made to the rates applicable to participants attending in career development programmes. The rates of expenses are set out in the incareer development unit's circular and the current rates have been in effect since 1 January 2002. In respect of elective in-career programmes, that is programmes offered outside of school time, the incareer development unit of my Department endeavours to support such training subject to the suitability of the course and to the overall demand for financial support from across the primary and post-primary sectors. In this regard the unit may make a subvention towards reasonable expenses incurred by course/event organisers or may make payments in accordance with other approved arrangements. This approach in supporting such programmes has not changed.
