Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2004
274 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason an application by Kilrush community school, Kilrush, County Clare, for funding from the in-career development unit of his Department was not forthcoming to provide a school chaplain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5684/04]
View answerI understand that the Deputy is referring to a letter from a member of the School Chaplains' Association concerning funding for in-career development courses. In addition to funding a number of national support services, for example in the areas of curricular reform and special needs, my Department supports a wide range of continuing professional development programmes provided by a network of education centres at local level for personnel working in primary and post-primary schools. In this regard the in-career development unit of my Department funds 21 full-time education centres and nine part-time centres to deliver this service.
In the past the unit also provided limited financial support to a range of other course providers/organisers for other elective programmes of inservice, to the extent that resources permitted having regard to other commitments and priorities. This included direct support to the School Chaplain's Association and to schools which applied to my Department rather than to their local education centre.
In order to rationalise matters and to make the best use of available resources, direct support to schools and other bodies and groups is no longer being made by my Department. Schools and others are advised to contact their local education centre, whose role it is to provide local inservice and to provide support, advice and assistance to schools and their personnel in these matters. This approach will help avoid duplication and make the best use of available resources.
