Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
572. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to solve the crisis in some island schools in hiring teachers since the island and Gaeltacht allowances were abolished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34464/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMinister Bruton recently established the Teacher Supply Steering Group, which is chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of Education and Skills.
The Group is considering the issues that impact on teacher supply, including: initial teacher education policy, provision, funding and support. They are also considering data/research requirements; policies and arrangements for schools and teachers that impact on teacher mobility/supply; and promotion of the teaching profession.
At this point the Steering Group and the working groups reporting to it, have met on a number of occasions. The Group met again on 29th June and we hope to be in a position to announce further measures in this areas outlined above over the coming months.
As part of the implementation of the Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022, the Department provided 2 additional teaching posts for the teacher education program at NUI, Galway, Máistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas (Professional Masters of Education), through secondment arrangements. The purpose of providing these 2 additional posts is to increase the number of post-primary teachers who can provide a range of subjects through the medium of Irish. This provision will continue for the 2018/19 school year.
Under the Gaeltacht Policy also, a new Masters in Education (M.Oid) for primary and post-primary teachers and principals will commence in September 2018. There will be up to 30 places available annually on this part-time programme. The purpose of this programme is to increase the number of teachers who can provide high quality education through the medium of Irish and increase the ability of those currently teaching through Irish.
The Gaeltacht Education Unit will begin the three-year pilot project in 2018/19 to digitally connect post-primary schools in the Gaeltacht. The purpose of this pilot project is to increase the range of curriculum subjects available for students in Gaeltacht post-primary schools so that they can access subjects that are not currently available to them in their post-primary schools.
