Written Answers Nos. 211-230
211. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the details of each time his Department, or public bodies under the aegis of his Department, enlisted the services of consultants in 2022; the purpose and value of each contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18729/23]
View answerMy Department considers hiring external consultants in cases where there is not the necessary expertise to deliver the project in-house, in cases where an external assessment is deemed essential, or in cases where a project must be completed within a short time scale, and although the expertise or experience may be available in-house, performing the task would involve a prohibitive opportunity cost.
My Department complies with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform's guidelines for engagements of consultants by the civil service, having regard to public procurement guidelines.
Details of the purpose and value of consultancy projects undertaken by my Department and its Offices in 2022 are set out in the table below. Please note that, unless otherwise stated, the figures provided represent the actual expenditure in respect of the projects in 2022.
|
Purpose of Consultancy |
Value of Contract€ |
|
Retail Sector Study 2021 (figure provided represents actual expenditure in 2022, total project value was €50,000 over 2021 and 2022) |
9,815 |
|
Review of the Restart Grant |
114,193 |
|
Audit of Small Business Assistance Scheme for Covid |
63,714 |
|
Legal Research EU Directive on Collective Redress |
35,642 |
|
Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund Review (figure provided represents actual expenditure in 2022, total project value was €50,000 over 2021 and 2022) |
8,530 |
|
Joint DETE-ESRI Research Programme: The Productivity Challenge and Its Interaction with Climate, Digitalisation and Human Capital (figure provided represents actual expenditure in 2022, the project runs from 2021 to 2023 and DETE has committed to making available to the ESRI a sum not exceeding €400,000 to finance the work undertaken) |
94,109 |
|
Climate Toolkit 4 Business |
8,641 |
|
National Clustering Policy and Framework (figure provided represents actual expenditure in 2022, total project value was €96,000 over 2021 and 2022) |
48,737 |
|
Annual Employment Survey |
14,815 |
|
Annual Business Survey of Economic Impact |
49,445 |
|
Review of Long-Term Lending Needs of Irish Business (figure provided represents actual expenditure in 2022, total project value was €60,000 over 2021 and 2022) |
18,287 |
|
Inclusive Entrepreneurship Workshop |
25,000 |
|
Regional Enterprise Plans Research Projects |
21,845 |
|
Competition Amendment Bill 2022 Drafting |
8,610 |
|
Survey of Public Attitudes to Trade and Inward Investment |
22,632 |
|
Evaluation of State Supports for Equity Investment in Start ups (figure provided represents actual expenditure in 2022, total project value is €150,000 over 2022 and 2023) |
51,009 |
|
International Financial Services – Expert Group on future Skills Needs (EGFSN) Report (figure provided represents actual expenditure in 2022, total project value is €100,000 over 2022 and 2023) |
60,220 |
|
Skills Needs in the Biopharma Sector - EGFSN Report (figure provided represents actual expenditure in 2022, total project value is €100,000 over 2022 and 2023) |
47,970 |
|
Review of Ireland's Enterprise Policy |
52,539 |
|
Analysis of High-Level ICT Skills Demand Indicators |
2,460 |
|
Investors in Diversity Certification |
10,073 |
|
Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme |
39,881 |
|
Review of Employment Rights Matter |
23,370 |
|
Shannon Estuary Taskforce - three research reports:Enterprise opportunities of Offshore Floating Wind EnergyAssessment of Opportunities for Decarbonisation of Process HeatAssessment of Opportunities for Large Scale Rooftop PV Deployment(figure provided represents actual expenditure in 2022, total project value is €75,000 over 2022 and 2023) |
49,857 |
|
Facilitation costs Finance for Scaling Group |
33,250 |
|
Consultant’s report on organisational capacity and agility (Consumer Policy) |
50,532 |
|
DETE Legal Advice |
1,110 |
|
WRC Catering Consultancy advice |
4,305 |
|
Recruitment consultancy services for ODCE / CEA* (4 occasions) |
85,011 |
|
Health & Safety consultancy services for ODCE / CEA |
3,133 |
|
ICT/Website consultancy for ODCE / CEA (2 occasions) |
25,782 |
|
Planning Services for Microsoft Teams voice (project to be completed in 2023) |
Est. 11,316 |
|
DETE IT systems security testing |
8,118 |
|
DETE IT systems security testing |
8,687 |
|
DETE IT systems security testing |
7,149 |
*The Corporate Enforcement Authority (CEA) was established on 7th July 2022 delivering on the action in the Programme for Government to establish the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) as a stand-alone statutory body.
The consultancy expenditure of the agencies under the remit of my Department is an operational matter for the agencies themselves.
212. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when a person (details supplied) will receive a determination on their application for a critical skills employment permit; and if it might be possible to speed up the process given the exceptional circumstances in this case. [18758/23]
View answerThe Employment Permits Section of my Department inform me that a Critical Skills Employment Permit application for the person concerned (details supplied) was received on 11th April 2023.
Applications for employment permits are dealt with in date order. The Employment Permits Section are currently processing standard new Critical Skills Employment Permit applications received on 31st March 2023.
Applicants can keep track of Employment Permit applications current processing dates at the following link: enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Employment-Permits/Current-Application-Processing-Dates/Current-Processing-Dates-for-Employment-Permits.html
If a permit is urgently required, an applicant may request to have an application expedited. A request to have an application expedited will only be considered in exceptional cases. The Department can only consider a request to expedite an employment permit application where a detailed business case is provided.
Details of the exceptional case must be submitted to the Department on the attached expedite request form, which is a prerequisite for DETE to consider any such request.
Once the business case is completed it should be submitted to Employmentpermits@enterprise.gov.ie for consideration. It is important to point out that the completion of a business case does not guarantee that an expedite will be facilitated.
The Employment Permits processing times are updated on a weekly basis at the following link: enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Employment-Permits/Current-Application-Processing-Dates/
There is also an Online Status Update Enquiry - where details on a particular application can be found on the following link: enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Employment-Permits/Employment-Permit-Status-Form/
213. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Enterprise; Trade and Employment the number of site visits to Kerry (real and virtual) facilitated by the IDA in the first quarter of 2023 and separately, all of 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18844/23]
View answer214. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Enterprise; Trade and Employment the up-to-date position regarding the development of a second advance technology facility at Kerry Technology Park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18845/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 213 and 214 together.
There are currently 17 IDA client companies employing 2,020 people located in Kerry and over the past 9 years there has been a 21% growth in the number of people employed by IDA client companies in Kerry.
In addition to the commitment to building a second Advanced Technology Building, in July 2022 IDA Ireland announced that it signed Heads of Terms with Shannon Commercial Enterprises DAC to progress with the acquisition of the remaining lands at Kerry Technology Park, Tralee.
The IDA’s property investment in the regions is aimed at supporting economic development and job creation across IDA’s, Enterprise Ireland's and local LEO’s respective client base. In that regard, it remains crucial that the South-West region has a competitive, sustainable property offering to enable the attraction and retention of investment and jobs.
This significant investment by IDA Ireland in the South-West Region aims to future-proof the property offering in attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to the region and to Kerry in particular. In this regard, IDA Ireland is proposing to identify a site within the land bank to accommodate the construction of an advanced building solution as announced as part of the IDA Strategy "Driving Recovery & Sustainable Growth 2021 – 2024". Securing planning permission and the construction of the building will take time and is subject to a number of complex design, planning and procurement processes.
Finally, IDA Ireland continues to engage with new and existing companies on promoting Ireland as a location for their business and the Agency will continue to position County Kerry for virtual and in-person site visits to prospective companies throughout 2023 and beyond. Over 2022 there were 13 site visits to Kerry, 10 Virtual & 3 in-person. Figures for Q1 2023 are currently being verified and will be available next month.
215. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Enterprise; Trade and Employment the number of people currently employed by Central Pharma in the IDA advance technology facility at Kerry Technology Park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18846/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, in 2018 Central Pharma took out a long-term lease on the Advanced Technology Building in Tralee. After some significant delays, I am informed that last year the company commenced business in Tralee providing warehousing for its first customers. However, the very latest information provided by the company is that they have one vacancy in Tralee since their previous employee left.
I am further advised that IDA Ireland continues to engage with Central Pharma in respect of this project. The company has advised the IDA that following the completion of a validation production process with the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), the company's plans to cover the order pipeline for the Tralee site will begin later this year. The company further advises that teams will be assembled dependant on order volume and will initially start with the team covering business development, quality, production, warehouse and facilities.
216. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if she will address a matter in relation to financial support to first year trainees (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18658/23]
View answerThe National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) of my Department provides a school-based psychological service to all recognised primary and post-primary schools through the application of psychological theory and practice to support the wellbeing, and the academic, social and emotional development of all learners.
The NEPS service provides access for schools to:
• Psychological support in the event of a Critical Incident
• A Casework Service for individual children where there is a need for intensive consultation and assessment
• A school staff Support and Development Service, to build school capability to provide a comprehensive continuum of support in schools and
• Ongoing access to advice and support for schools.
This overall approach allows psychologists to give early attention to urgent individual cases and, through supporting school staff, to benefit many more children than could be seen individually.
A working group in the Department has been examining the matter of how NEPS can continue to recruit adequate numbers of suitably qualified staff and continue to respond to the educational psychological needs of children in recognised primary and post-primary schools across the country.
To address supply issues in the medium to long term a workforce plan for educational psychologists is being developed within the Department of Education and work has begun with other Government Departments to advance this. Officials in my Department liaise regularly with the Department of Health, and with Mary Immaculate College and University College Dublin, and, as this work progresses, will continue to do so and to consult with other stakeholders as appropriate.
As an immediate short-term measure the Department introduced a bursary to support Trainee Educational Psychologists currently in their third year (or third year equivalent) of professional training in University College Dublin (UCD) and Mary Immaculate College (MIC), who expect to graduate in 2023.
The working group referred to above has also been asked to make some interim recommendations in Q2 of this year regarding any other short-term measures required in advance of their final report. Funding supports for students of the educational psychological doctorate programme are being considered as part of this process.
217. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the additional accommodation application lodged by school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18624/23]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application for the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme from the school in question.
My Department's Planning and Building Unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for 2023 in the context of its available funding. Key priorities for the Department's work programme include continuing strong delivery to support the operation of the school system with particular regard to planning ahead for the 2023/24 school year and beyond and also with particular regard to supporting special needs provision.
The school in question is being considered as part of this assessment and a decision will issue to the school authorities as soon as possible in this regard.
218. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the drawdown of funding by a school (details supplied) for a new extension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18625/23]
View answerThe school referred to by the deputy was approved a project under the Department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Programme.
The school has to date drawn down 90% of approved funding which is appropriate for this stage of the project. My Department has received an inflation framework claim which is currently under review.
Departments officials will revert to the school once this review has been completed.
219. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Education if her Department has considered an external engineering report raising issues with a school building (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18626/23]
View answerThe school referred to by the Deputy formed part of a campus development, which included two primary schools, that was completed in 2015. Following a number of issues arising post-construction, there has been ongoing communication with the Design Team to determine and address the issues.
A representative of the Department met with the Design Team at the campus last year and, subsequent to recommendations, this was followed up by an engineering report from the Design Team. The report was recently received by my Department and a meeting will be arranged with the Design Team to ensure that remedies are advanced. In the meantime an instruction has issued to the Design Team to carry out an independent 3rd party inspection of the roof and the Design Team has advised that this is to proceed shortly.
220. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education when transport arrangements can be put in place for a pupil (details supplied) who is attending a special class; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18639/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year, over 147,900 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 3,800 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
The purpose of the Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, the Department will consider the report of the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO). School transport is provided to children with special educational needs who are attending the nearest school to their place of residence that is or can be resourced to meet their educational needs, as identified by the SENO.
Bus Éireann has advised that the pupil referred to by the Deputy was removed from the service. The parents of the pupil referred have been advised of the circumstances in this case. The family have contacted officials in the School Transport Section in my Department and have been advised accordingly of the criteria required to request an Individual Transport Service. School Transport Section will continue to provide support and engage with the family as needed.
221. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education the current status of the new school construction project for a school (details supplied); if this project will proceed to tender stage; the expected timeframe for completion of the new school building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18665/23]
View answerA major building project for the school in question has been devolved for delivery to Cavan and Monaghan Educational Training Board (CMETB).
I am pleased to advise that CMETB was recently authorised by the Department to issue the Letter of Intent to the preferred tenderer. The Design Team is currently in the process of reviewing same and preparing documents for the Tender Report Supplement. The Department will review the Tender Report Supplement and issue approval to issue the Letter of Acceptance in due course. Once the Letter of Acceptance has issued to the contractor, the project will commence on site.
222. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education if discussions are expected to change the circular for incremental credits so that teaching experience abroad in non-EU private schools is recognised in Ireland (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18708/23]
View answerThe criteria for the award of incremental credit to recognised teachers was agreed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC). This Council is comprised of representatives of teachers, school management, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Education. The Council is chaired by an official of the Workplace Relations Commission.
The criteria for the award of incremental credit is laid out in my Department's Circulars 10/2001 for Primary teachers, 29/2007 and 29/2010 for Post Primary teachers. For the purposes of prior relevant non-teaching service, the relevant Circular for Post Primary teachers is 29/2007.
The teachers unions have lodged a number of claims at TCC in relation to incremental credit, and specifically a claim about private post primary teaching service outside the E.U. These claims are currently under consideration.
The Department will review these circulars when agreement has been reached at TCC with regard to those claims.
223. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the additional school accommodation scheme application lodged by school (details supplied); if her Department is considering the concerns recently raised by the school principal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18710/23]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has recently spoken with the principal of the school who stated that the school has sufficient accommodation for the 2023/24 school year. The principal indicated that the intention is to submit an application under the additional school accommodation scheme for the 2024/25 school year. Any application received will be considered and a response will issue directly to the school authority when the assessment process has been completed.
224. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if the fees for the State examinations, both Leaving Certificate and Junior Certificate, will continue to be waived in 2024; when she will announce any provisions or changes to the Leaving Certificate in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18721/23]
View answerGiven the extraordinary arrangements which applied to State examinations in 2020 and again in 2021, fees were not charged. In February 2022 I confirmed that fees would not be charged for 2022, which saw the welcome return of written examinations for all candidates for the first time since the onset of the pandemic.
I can confirm that for 2023, examination entry fees for the Leaving Certificate and Junior Cycle examinations are again being waived. Students sitting the examinations in 2023 will not have to pay these fees, which would usually be €116 and €109 for the Leaving Certificate and Junior Cycle examinations respectively.
No decision has yet been made in regard to fees for 2024 examinations, and I can advise the Deputy that detailed planning for the 2024 examinations will commence following the 2023 examinations.
225. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education the details of each time her Department, or public bodies under the aegis of her Department, enlisted the services of consultants in 2022; the purpose and value of each contract; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18728/23]
View answerInformation in relation to consultancy expenditure in my Department is compiled annually in respect of the previous year and published online at www.gov.ie/en/collection/department-of-education-and-skills-expenditure-on-consultancy/. The data in respect of 2022 is being compiled at present and will be published online as soon as it is available.
The information in respect of state bodies within the scope of the Deputy’s question is not held by my Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document should the Deputy wish to contact them directly with this query.
|
Contact E-Mail Addresses for State Bodies under the Remit of the Department of Education as at 03 February 2023 |
||
|
Name of Body |
Dedicated Email address for the Members of the Oireachtas |
Designated Official Responsible for assisting Oireachtas Members |
|
An Chomhairle um Oideachais Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta |
oireachtas@cogg.ie |
jacquelinenifhearghusa@cogg.ie |
|
Educational Research Centre |
oireachtas.queries@erc.ie |
aidan.clerkin@erc.ie |
|
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment Note 1 |
oireactasqueries@ncca.ie |
Aine.ArmstrongFarrell@ncca.ie |
|
State Examinations Commission |
Oireachtas@examinations.ie |
Paddy.Quinn@examinations.ie |
|
The Teaching Council |
pqrep@teachingcouncil.ie |
lramsey@teachingcouncil.ie |
|
National Council for Special Education |
oireachtasqueries@ncse.ie |
patrick.martin@ncse.ie and cindyjane.oconnell@ncse.ie |
|
Residential Institutions Statutory Fund – Caranua |
Michael.Fitzpatrick@caranua.ie |
Michael.Fitzpatrick@caranua.ie |
Note 1 - The spelling of the NCCA e-mail address to which Oireachtas queries may be addressed has been verified with the NCCA as being accurate
226. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Education when her Department will give the go ahead of the tender documents for a school (details supplied). [18753/23]
View answerThe school building project to which the Deputy refers is included in my Department's Large Scale Capital Programme, and is currently at Stage 3 - Tender Action and Award. A Stage 3 Tender Report identifying a recommended bidder is with my Department for review. My Department will be in further contact with the school upon review of this report.
227. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the supervision and substitution scheme; if the scheme currently exists and is open to new applicants; the way she will address the shortage of cover for supervision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18761/23]
View answerDepartment of Education Circular 006/2014 sets out details of the Supervision and Substitution (S&S) Scheme which operates in post-primary schools. The S & S Scheme allows for the supervision of students during breaks and before and after school and to allow for substitution to cover certain categories of teacher absences. This includes providing substitution cover for short term and unexpected absences in schools, such as all uncertified sick leave absences or to cover the first day of force majeure leave or illness in family leave
With effect from the beginning of the 2013/14 school year, participation in the Supervision and Substitution scheme is compulsory for all post-primary teachers, save for those who had availed of the opt-out arrangements prior to this date. Circular 0047/2017 also subsequently set out the arrangements whereby teachers who previously opted out from compulsory participation in the Supervision and Substitution scheme under Circular 0006/2014 could opt back in to the Supervision and Substitution scheme.
With effect from the beginning of the 2013/14 school year, each teacher has been required to provide 43 hours supervision and substitution per annum. Teachers working less than full hours other than those employed on a casual basis will have a liability to deliver supervision and substitution on a pro-rata basis. This scheme therefore provides for a very significant number of hours for each school for the covering of substitution absences.
The Department is undertaking a comprehensive programme to support the supply of teachers, including to cover short term substitutable absences , which includes:
• As a temporary measure, post-primary teachers can provide additional hours of substitute cover in the subject they are qualified to teach. The number of additional hours that can be taught per term has been increased from 20 to 35 for the remainder of the 2022/23 school year.
• For 2022/23, higher education institutions have introduced flexibility in the delivery of initial teacher education programmes to allow student teachers to provide more substitute cover.
• The Teaching Council introduced regulations allowing for the registration of 3rd and 4th-year undergraduate student teachers under registration Route 5 (Student Teachers). More than 2,700 student teachers have registered under route 5 to date
• A waiver of abatement for retired teachers returning to teach for up to 50 days in each of the three calendar years, 2021 to 2023 inclusive has been agreed with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
• For 2022/23, job-sharing teachers may be employed to work in a substitute capacity during the period they are rostered off, in their own or in other schools, and the limits on substitute work applying to teachers on career break have also been suspended.
The Department meets on a regular basis with school management bodies and teacher unions on this very important issue and will continue to work intensively with all stakeholders to develop and implement creative solutions to address the teacher supply challenges for schools.
228. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of middle management positions in primary schools which were removed or scaled back during the austerity years that have been reintroduced per county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18804/23]
View answer229. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of middle management positions in secondary schools which were removed or scaled back during the austerity years that have been reintroduced per county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18805/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 228 and 229 together.
Budget 2017 allowed for the commencement of restoration of middle management posts as part of an agreed distributed leadership model and meant lifting the rigidity of the long-standing moratorium on these posts. The equivalent of approximately 1,300 middle management posts (Assistant Principal I and Assistant Principal II) were restored at both Primary and Post-Primary level. (2,600 in total)
The Department has committed to annually revising the allocation of Posts of Responsibility to take into account retirements during the school year which has ensured that the current level of Posts of Responsibility (PORs) are maintained in the school system. New POR threshold tables are produced each year to distribute these POR’s equitably across all school.
The Sectoral Bargaining process under Building Momentum for the primary sector has been used to increase posts of responsibility (POR) in primary and special schools by 1,450 posts. The distribution of these additional posts of responsibility are comprehended in Circular 0043/2022 available on the Department’s website.
Since the commencement of the restoration of these posts at Post-Primary, there has also been an increased allocation in respect of Deputy Principal posts with over 450 additional posts allocated to schools. In the 2021/22 school year, the enrolment threshold for the allocation of an additional deputy principal in DEIS post-primary schools was reduced from 700 to 600 pupils. These additional posts provide resources to focus on leadership and management in our schools.
This recognises the key role school leadership has in promoting a school environment which is welcoming, inclusive and accountable.
At second-level, currently one in three Post-Primary teachers hold an API/APII post within schools and there are 727 Principals and 992 Deputy Principals.
In the Primary System, almost 16,000 teachers have a promotional post (Principal, DP API, APII) resulting in two in five (40%) of primary teachers holding a Management and Leadership position in our schools.
The information requested by the Deputy is not available on a county basis.
230. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of secondary schools that do not have a home economics teacher in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, by county, in tabular form. [18807/23]
View answerThe recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for individual school authorities, subject to procedures agreed upon under Section 24 of the Education Act 1998. The Department does not currently collate data on vacant home economics posts in post-primary schools.
With regard to the future supply of teachers of home economics, following the introduction by the Teaching Council of revised student Curricular Subject Requirements (Post-Primary) for persons applying for registration on or after 1 January 2023, students in St Angela’s College, Sligo now qualify to teach home economics (with the option of a second subject) in 4 years rather than 5, as was previously the case. This applies to the student intake in 2022 and subsequent years, and should have the effect of increasing graduate numbers when students graduate from both the 5 year and 4 year programmes.
Additionally, a number of new routes to home economics teaching are now in place. Munster Technological University (MTU) and University College Cork (UCC) offer a pathway for students to become qualified teachers in home economics and business whereby students study at MTU for 3 years and then undertake a PME in UCC for 2 years. A new BA in Education, Home Economics and Business Studies programme is also due to commence at MIC Thurles in September of this year. Graduates of this programme will, subject to Teaching Council approval, be qualified to teach home economics and business.
In addition, programmes to upskill already registered teachers to teach home economics are being offered by MTU and St Angela’s.
The Department is undertaking a comprehensive programme to support the supply of post-primary teachers, including:
• As a temporary measure, post-primary teachers can provide additional hours of substitute cover in the subject they are qualified to teach. The number of additional hours that can be taught per term has been increased from 20 to 35 for the remainder of the 2022/23 school year.
• For 2022/23, higher education institutions have introduced flexibility in the delivery of initial teacher education programmes to allow student teachers to provide more substitute cover.
• The Teaching Council introduced regulations allowing for the registration of 3rd and 4th-year undergraduate student teachers under registration Route 5 (Student Teachers). More than 2,700 student teachers have registered under route 5 to date. This initiative supports the employment of student teachers to cover substitutable vacancies.
• A waiver of abatement for retired teachers returning to teach for up to 50 days in each of the three calendar years, 2021 to 2023 inclusive has been agreed upon with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
• For 2022/23, job-sharing teachers may be employed to work in a substitute capacity during the period they are rostered off, in their own or in other schools, and the limits on substitute work applying to teachers on career break have also been suspended.
• The Department provided details of the staffing arrangements for the 2023/24 school year to schools before the end of January. This will facilitate schools to begin recruitment for the 2023/24 school year earlier than in 2022.
• Newly qualified teachers (NQTs) who qualify outside Ireland may now complete induction (Droichead) in Ireland under a new measure implemented by the Teaching Council. This measure seeks to enhance the supply of NQTs available to schools.
Measures targeted at supporting the long-term supply needs of the system have also been put in place.
• The Department has increased the number of places on post primary teacher upskilling programmes in mathematics, Spanish and physics. The programmes are delivered outside of class time and are offered at no cost to the teacher. Approximately 170 places were provided in the first intake across the three programmes with an increase in places to over 300 in 2023.
• A new programme for post-primary teachers to upskill in Irish is planned for commencement in 2023/2024. The Department is also considering additional upskilling programmes in other priority subject areas.
• The Department introduced a scheme to allow post-primary schools to share teachers, the aim of which is to recruit teachers in high-demand subjects and give teachers a full-time teaching contract. It is expected that a pilot of the scheme will be introduced in a small number of locations for the 2023/24 school year.
In addition to the above measures, the Teaching Transforms campaign continues to promote the teaching profession and encourage students to follow a career in teaching. The campaign uses digital, radio and video media, and is supported by a dedicated webpage, www.gov.ie/teachingtransforms. It should be noted that CAO first preference choices for post-primary teaching have increased this year by 11%.
The Department meets on a regular basis with school management bodies and teacher unions on this very important issue and will continue to work intensively with all stakeholders to develop and implement creative solutions to address the teacher supply challenges for schools.
