My Department did identify the number of non-national children, not having English as their first language, in primary schools in September 1998. The number then was 1641. Since then the number of these children would have increased, including the addition of significant numbers of Kosovan children. As a result of the September 1998 audit some significant additional teaching resources have been sanctioned for primary schools earlier this year, including 15 additional teaching posts at primary school level and 15 additional primary teacher posts in respect of Kosovan students. Individual post-primary schools or vocational education committees may apply for additional teaching hours in respect of non-national students who may have particular English language deficits.
However, the number of children in all schools, in the category referred to, changes regularly because of changes in the overall numbers seeking asylum and refuge in the State. My Department will maintain a liaison with the newly established directorate of services for asylum seekers in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and with bodies such as the refugee language support unit and with schools in order to begin a process of establishing an appropriate and ongoing database of non-national students who do not have English as their first language in both primary and post-primary schools. These data will assist in targeting the additional resources which may be required to make provision for these students.
