1134. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department has undertaken any analysis comparing the cost of the current eight-week block release model for funded postgraduate diplomas in special education with hybrid delivery models which do not require substitute teacher cover; and if she will provide the findings of any such analysis. [55056/26]

On an annual basis, the Department provides funding for two distinct categories of post-graduate programmes for Special Education Teachers:

• Post-Graduate Diploma Programme of Teacher Professional Learning for Special Education Teachers.

• Graduate Certificate in Autism Education for teachers working with Autistic Pupils in Special Schools, Special Classes or as Special Education Teachers in mainstream Primary and Post-Primary Schools.

The aim is to provide substantial theoretical and practical continuing professional development for teachers working with students with special educational needs, contributing to the school’s overall capacity to meet the needs of pupils with special education needs, including autism.

There are six publicly funded HEI providers of the post-graduate diploma programmes:

Dublin City University; University College Dublin; Mary Immaculate College; University of Galway; ATU St Angela’s, Sligo and University College Cork

The programmes are of one academic year’s duration with a total of eight weeks’ release from schools/centres for attendance at the relevant programme venue and the remainder of the year will involve teaching in participants’ own educational settings.

The programmes are delivered in a blended model through on campus learning, teaching in their own educational settings and occasional online and weekend participation.

Substitution, which must be approved by the managerial authority of the school/ETB, will be allowed. The substitution must be deemed necessary to cover the approved periods of absence of the teacher from teaching duty for attendance at the course.

There has to date been no analysis comparing the cost of the current eight-week block release model for funded postgraduate diplomas in special education with hybrid delivery models which do not require substitute teacher cover.