Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 May 2011
107 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the professional development service for teachers support service has no Irish version of its website; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this is contrary to the Official Languages Act 2003; if he will rectify this omission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11997/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) are currently in the process of developing a new website for the organisation. In September 2010, the PDST was created as a result of the reconfiguration of a number of services to provide a coordinated response to training needs of teachers at primary and post primary level. The current website is a temporary holding page providing links to the site of each of the former services which constitute the PDST. The new website, when available, will conform with requirements in relation to the Official Languages Act.
108 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills if all professional development service for teachers support service provides bilingual versions as bearla agus as gaeilge of all documentation including but not exclusively handouts, booklets and leaflets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11998/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) is a team of seconded teachers, which offers professional development support to primary and post-primary teachers and schools on a wide range of topics. The service was established in September 2010, following a reconfiguration of the support services in existence prior to that date, and 2011 is their first full year of operation. The PDST aims to provide bilingual versions of its documentation, materials and resources in accordance with statutory requirements.
Where the PDST engages in face to face support with teachers and schools, documentation including presentations and handouts are provided through the language medium of theschool.
Generally, direct communications from the PDST to all schools are provided in both Irish and English.
