Vol. 471 No. 7
242 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Education if she will list the counties which do not have a teacher centre with full-time status; when she intends to upgrade such centres; the reason for the delay in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22139/96]
261 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the widespread concern regarding her failure to confer full-time status on the Cavan education centre; the reason this centre was not upgraded when decisions in this regard were made recently; the proposals, if any, she has to confer full-time status on this centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22253/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 242 and 261 together.
The counties which will not, at this stage, have an education centre (previously teachers' centres) with full-time status are Carlow, Cavan, Longford, Louth, Offaly, Roscommon, Tipperary and Wicklow.
The provision of full-time centres or part-time centres is not decided on a county basis. In the upgrading of centres, which I announced recently, account was taken of a range of factors, in particular, geographical spread, school-teacher population, local need and strategic locations within what will be the new education board areas.
This upgrading of centres will bring the number of full-time centres to 21 and is a major investment in the education centre network, more than doubling the number of full-time centres. This development is in the context of the National Development Plan 1994 to 1999. It is not possible to say when further development of the network may take place.
While I appreciate that some areas were understandably disappointed that their area could not be included, the development of the education centre network which I have announced is far greater than anything previously achieved and is, I believe, very welcome throughout the system.
