Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 May 2014
88. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons who have participated in work placement programmes in schools; the positions they undertook in the WPPs; their pay and conditions; the number of schools that have availed of it; and the number of WPP teaching staff allowed in an individual school at a time during each year since it was introduced. [20550/14]
View answerThe Work Placement Programmes (FAS WPP1 for graduates and WPP2 for non-graduates), along with the JobBridge National Internship Scheme, are operated and managed by the Department of Social Protection. These schemes provide an opportunity for the exchange of expertise and experience between the host organisation and those in a placement/internship. An internship/placement may provide a newly qualified teacher with the opportunity to gain experience in an existing class in order to allow him or her to undergo the probation process and so become registered without conditions with the Teaching Council.
Circular Letter 66/2010, issued by my Department in relation to the WPP in November 2010, and circular letter 46/2011, issued by my Department in relation to JobBridge in October 2011, permitted schools to participate should they so wish. The information sought by the Deputy has been requested from the Department of Social Protection and will be furnished to the Deputy on receipt.
