Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 October 2012
257. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the details of the cost and savings associated with the new Junior Certificate cycle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46278/12]
View answer265. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the fact that the Junior Certificate currently costs approximately €20 million a year, where will these funds be allocated to now and the amount of this that will be used for the new Junior Certificate programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46286/12]
View answer266. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if funding for the new Junior Certificate cycle will be given directly to schools to implement the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46287/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 257, 265, 266 together.
The costs which will arise relate in the main to professional development for principals, deputy principals and teachers. Investment in professional development for teachers will begin in 2013 and be significantly scaled up in the years thereafter. The key needs will be for professional development in assessment approaches, in school moderation, in the development of short courses, and in subject reforms. Given the budgetary circumstances, it will be necessary to provide for these funds through a redeployment of existing resources within the Department's budget, while also finding the savings already necessary within the Budget. From 2017 onwards there will be some savings in the budget of the State Examinations Commission as the role of the Commission in assessment at junior cycle is reduced, but these will be absorbed in the reform of the Leaving Certificate and in ongoing implementation of reform at Junior Cycle.
