Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Ceist:343. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of teachers currently on secondment to the Professional Development Service for Teachers, PDST, specifically. [58820/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 30 November 2021
Ceisteanna (343)
Freagraí scríofa
The Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) support service is funded by my Department and has responsibility for delivering continuous professional development (CPD) supports to teachers and school leaders in areas of curriculum and policy at Primary and Senior Cycle levels. The PDST team comprises seconded, practising teachers augmented by team leaders, local facilitators and associate trainers.
In response to the recent measures announced to increase the availability of substitute teachers, the Teacher Education support services funded by my Department have been asked to release teachers who are on secondment to make themselves available to provide substitute cover in schools. Arrangements are being made for available teachers from these support services, including PDST to register on the SubSeeker portal.
Planned CPD relating to reforms in Senior Cycle examinable subjects will continue. All other CPD at both Primary and Post Primary, where substitution is required, will be deferred until after the February 2022 mid-term break. It is intended that this deferred. CPD will be re-scheduled in the period following the February 2022 mid-term break.
The total number of teachers seconded to the PDST currently stand at 182. This figure includes 6 teachers in the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and 1 teacher in An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta & Gaelscolaíochta (COGG).