Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 Nov 1999

Vol. 511 No. 4

Written Answers. - Enrolment of Non-National Children.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

122 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the enrolment of up to 60 non-national children at Holy Rosary national school, Ballycragh, Tallaght, Dublin 24, without any special provision by his Department; the steps, if any, he will take to assist the school to cope and benefit from this experience; his views on whether non-national enrolment on this scale requires the provision of an additional language teacher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24694/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I am aware that increasing numbers of non-national children have been enrolled in a number of schools in the Dublin area recently, including Holy Rosary national school. I also understand that many of these children have very little competence in the English language, and I appreciate the difficulties faced by schools in providing education for them.

My Department carried out a detailed examination of the situation in 1998, following which an additional 14 teaching posts were provided early this year to address the difficulties associated with teaching non-English speaking pupils from various ethnic backgrounds. A further 15 posts were sanctioned during the summer to assist schools where large numbers of refugee children from Kosovo had been enrolled.

I am currently examining what additional educational provisions might be made to meet the needs of non-English speaking pupils.