Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2020
261. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of increasing funding for the Gaeltacht costs for trainee teachers to allow for an additional week of training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4941/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Teaching Council is responsible for setting the standards for Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes through the review and accreditation of all ITE programmes.
The Gaeltacht placement is a mandatory component of primary initial teacher education programmes, in accordance with the Teaching Council’s Criteria and Guidelines for Programme Providers of Initial Teacher Education.
The duration of the placement is a four week period broken into two separate blocks of two weeks.
In Budget 2020, I announced the restoration of the Gaeltacht grant for students in State-funded primary initial teacher education (ITE) programmes, with effect from the academic year 2020/21, at an estimated full year annual cost of €1.8 million. Providing funding for an additional week of placement would give rise to a pro-rata increase in the cost.
