Brendan Howlin
Question:103 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the criticism among some education partners at the inadequate provision of supports for non-national pupils in the education system. [17123/01]
Written Answers. - Non-National Pupils.
I am not aware of criticism by the education partners of my Department's provision for non-national pupils. On the contrary, appreciation has been expressed of the support being provided by my Department. This support operates at a number of levels. All non-national pupils are included in establishing the staffing entitlement of a school. In addition, every school which has 14 or more non-national pupils enrolled, who have significant English language deficits, is entitled to appoint an additional full-time teacher to provide English language support for these pupils. Where there are 28 such pupils enrolled, a second teacher is sanctioned. Where smaller numbers of non-national pupils are enrolled, support is given by means of a grant in the case of primary school pupils. This grant is either £5,000 or £7,500. A grant of £5,000 is paid to primary schools where there are as few as three such pupils enrolled. At second level, support is given by way of extra hours, starting with three hours for a school with a single non-national pupil. This increases on a gradual basis up to 22 hours for 14 pupils and this entitles the school to a full-time teacher. An initial grant of £500 is paid in all cases where a full-time teacher is sanctioned with a top-up grant of £250 in each succeeding year. This is to help provide any additional specific teaching materials that may be needed. Where additional accommodation is required as a result of enrolling non-national pupils, all costs of such provision will be funded by the Department, including site works and furniture. Further support is provided by the refugee language support unit. This unit was set up under the aegis of Trinity College, Dublin, and is funded by my Department. It provides teaching materials, training and ongoing support to teachers catering for the English language needs of non-national pupils.