Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 June 2024
83. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the action he is taking to increase access participation in Professional Master of Education programmes. [27058/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that policy and regulatory questions relating to the Professional Masters in Education, and the teaching profession more generally, are a matter for the Department of Education and my colleague Minister Foley.
However, the Deputy will be aware that my Department does support access to Initial Teacher Education (ITE) for targeted priority groups under the Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH) 1, as part of the National Access Plan. The objectives of PATH 1 are to increase the number of students from under-represented groups entering ITE and provide more role models for students from these groups. PATH 1 supports a range of new initiatives and partnerships, and it is expected that these activities will result in increased students from under-represented groups participating in ITE programmes.
A fund of €5.4million has been provided under PATH 1 since 2019 which is allocated to seven Centres of Teaching Excellence across the country who run projects to encourage students into the Teaching profession.
Students on the PME courses are also entitled to apply for the SUSI grant, distributed by CDETB on behalf of my Department, which supports students on their journey through education.
In 2022/23 there were 607 students in receipt of SUSI who are registered on the PME programmes.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
