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Departmental Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021

Wednesday, 21 April 2021

Ceisteanna (1058, 1071)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

1058. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost to move away from the Gaeltacht grant model to full State funding of mandatory Gaeltacht placement for all student teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20088/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Ceist:

1071. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Education if she has considered making amendments to the student teacher Gaeltacht grant model which would result in full State funding of mandatory Gaeltacht placement for all student teachers; the engagement she has had in relation to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20347/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1058 and 1071 together.

The current requirements for Gaeltacht Learning Periods (GLPs) for primary Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes takes the form of 2 x 2 week placements, which are outlined in the Teaching Council’s Céim: Standards for Initial Teacher Education.

Budget 2020 provided for the re-instatement of the grant to cover the full cost of the Gaeltacht Learning Periods (GLPs) for undergraduate and post-graduate students in State-funded primary ITE programmes, with effect from the 2020/2021 academic year. The grant was previously funded by my Department up to the 2012/2013 academic year, when it was ceased due to financial constraints. The rate of the re-introduced student grant for 2021 has been set at an average of €650. This will cover the cost of the undertaking the fortnightly online course in 2021. The re-introduced grant will be made available for undergraduate and post-graduate students in State-funded primary Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes. This is in line with normal practice for other grant payments per students qualifying requirements.

In relation to the cost of the online programme for students of the private college provider, the Department of Education responded to a proposal from that private provider confirming that both the Department and the Teaching Council had no issue with that private provider, working in collaboration with a Gaeltacht College(s) to provide an online programme based on the agreed syllabus for their own students and to negotiate and set the cost for undertaking that programme for their own students. The Department understands that the private College has now organised the provision of an online GLP programme for all of their students in collaboration with one Gaeltacht College.

In any given academic year, the estimated cost for the provision of the Gaeltacht Grant to students on state funded primary ITE programmes is estimated at circa €1.8m. The total estimated cost of providing this grant to all students enrolled on primary teacher training programmes (including students of the private college provider) at a rate of €650 per student would be in the region of €2.8m.

Unlike primary, attendance at a programme of study in a Gaeltacht college is not a compulsory requirement for post-primary student teachers.

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