In 2012 an International Review Panel was established to advise the Minister on the structure of initial teacher education provision (ITE) in the State. The panel's report proposed a fundamental change to the provision of ITE, reducing the number of ITE providers from 19 to six new “centres for teacher education”. Each centre would offer education across the full range of sectoral teacher education, from early childhood to adult education, and possess a critical mass in terms of research capacity.
Following from the Panel's report, a number of incorporations of ITE providers and collaborations between providers have taken place, or are in the process of taking place. These changes complement other changes to the content and length of teacher education, with a greater emphasis on literacy, numeracy and pedagogical skills.
The Church of Ireland College of Education (CICE) was incorporated into Dublin City University (DCU) with effect from 1 October 2016, as part of this reform process. The incorporation took place in accordance with a detailed agreement between CICE and DCU in respect of the terms and conditions of the staff of the college following the incorporation.
My Department is aware of a small number of industrial relations issues that have arisen in the context of the incorporation process. Such issues have been, and continue to be, dealt with using both the existing industrial relations mechanisms and in accordance with the detailed agreement between CICE and DCU referred to above. Beyond that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on this particular case.
