I propose to take Questions Nos. 151 to 154, inclusive, together.
In 2012, the Professional Diploma in Mathematics for Teaching, a blended learning, two year part-time programme was made available nationwide free of charge to improve the skills of certain maths teachers at post-primary level. It is a condition of entry to the programme that the applicant will continue to teach maths.
Provision of the course is led by the National Centre for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching & Learning (NCE-MSTL), based in the University of Limerick (UL), and it will be accredited jointly by the UL and NUI Galway through their strategic alliance. Some 317 teachers are enrolled in the first round of the programme which began in September 2012. 295 teachers are enrolled in the second round which began in September 2013. A further intake is planned for September 2014. As the course is of 2 years' duration, no participants have completed the programme yet.
Funding is committed for the two rounds of the programme currently underway and for a third intake this September. Decisions on future rounds will be made in light of factors such as continuing demand and available resources.