Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 October 2017
161. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason secondary teachers are required to complete a two-year master's degree to qualify rather than a higher diploma; and his views on whether this is leading to cost pressures on young graduates. [42202/17]
View answerRecommendations for changes to initial teacher education were included in the National Strategy to Improve Literacy and Numeracy among Children and Young People 2011-2020 and were incorporated into the Teaching Council's, “Policy Paper on the Continuum of Teacher Education” and “Criteria and Guidelines for Programme Providers”.
At post-primary level, the content of courses has been reconfigured and their duration increased to two years. The decision to designate the reconfigured and extended programmes at master's level was taken by the higher education institutions involved; my Department was not involved in this decision. However, I support the changes which, as I have already stated, are in line with the recommendations of the Literacy and Numeracy Strategy and aim to ensure that newly qualified teachers are better equipped for the needs of the modern-day classroom.
The Deputy may wish to note that students entering post-graduate programmes who meet the qualifying conditions for the special rate of grant under the Student Grant Scheme are eligible to have their post-graduate tuition fees paid up to the maximum fee limit of €6,270. Alternatively, a post-graduate student may qualify to have a €2,000 contribution made toward the cost of their fees. The income threshold for this payment is €31,500 for the 2017-18 academic year, increasing relative to the number of family dependents.
In addition, students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third-level studies due to their financial circumstances. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third-level institution attended.
Tax relief also is available on post-graduate tuition fees. Details in relation to this relief are available from the Revenue Commissioners.
