Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Nov 2003

Vol. 575 No. 3

Written Answers. - Education Projects.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

203 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to concerns expressed regarding the future funding of partnership education co-ordinators, which has been guaranteed only up to the end of 2003; if he will continue to part-fund these positions to the end of the NDP; the money which has been allocated for this purpose in 2004; his views on whether there is an urgent need to end the uncertainty surrounding these positions and act accordingly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28357/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The continued secondment of teachers currently employed in area based partnerships as education co-ordinators has been approved up to the end of the 2003-04 academic year. The existing sanction was due to expire on 31 December 2003. The publication of the Abridged Estimates is only the first stage in the process which provides an overall framework for decision making with regard to services and programmes in the following year. A review of the arrangements relating to the secondment of teachers as education co-ordinators will be carried out early in 2004.