As stated in the response to the previous question from Deputy Hayes in relation to inservice participants, the figure used by the Deputy for 2008 refers to the number of participant days up to the 31/08/08 rather than the number of hours of inservice. The full year figure will obviously be much higher than this. In service participants will however be lower in 2008 than 2006 and this can be put down to two main factors:
(1) The former Primary Curriculum Support Programme has completed its intensive phase of inservice following the introduction of the revised primary curriculum. As part of the schedule of support for the revised curriculum which began in 1999 and was completed in 2007, subject areas were catered for annually with up to six days per year for whole staff training. From September 2008, the first steps were taken toward the creation of a cohesive single professional development support service for the primary sector. The new service, while continuing to provide professional development programmes in response to system priorities, will be primarily concerned with the provision of customised support to schools and teachers.
(2) In 2008, due to Easter falling early there was a much shorter first term than usual. As in service seminars generally don't take place in the third term, after Easter, this will contribute to a reduction in overall numbers for 2008.