Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 October 2007
408 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the resources and allocations presently available to primary and post primary schools to cater for students who are not proficient in the English language; and ifshe will make a statement on the matter. [22677/07]
View answerLanguage Support Teachers are provided at primary and post-primary levels to those schools which have newcomer pupils who do not have English as their first language. The limit of two Language Support Teachers per school was removed last year and the provision of language support has been extended beyond two years. As a result, some schools with a large number of newcomer children without English as their first language have up to 6 Language Support Teachers.
Towards 2016 provides for the provision of an extra 550 language support teachers by 2009 including 200 teachers (175 primary and 25 post-primary) in 2007, with a further 150 in 2008 and 200 in 2009.
Primary schools in which between three and thirteen eligible non-national pupils are enrolled receive grant assistance towards the cost of employing part-time teachers. The 2007Budget for financial support to schools is €4.2 million.
Language assessment kits, based on best international practice, are to be provided to all primary schools during the 2007/08 school year. The kits will enable accurate initial and on-going assessment of language proficiency of newcomer children with a particular focus upon assessing whether language support needs to be provided beyond the current two year limit.
NCCA intercultural guidelines to support teachers and schools in developing a more inclusive learning environment and in providing students with knowledge and skills they need to participate in a multicultural world. Corresponding guidelines for intercultural education in post-primary schools have also been made available by the NCCA.
The Department continues to provide funding to Integrate Ireland Language and Training Ltd (IILT) to provide Language Support Teachers with in-service training to assist them in meeting the English language needs of their pupils/students. The Department has distributed a resource book ("Up and Away") for English Language Support Teachers to all primary schools which will serve as the basis for induction seminars for newly appointed Language Support Teachers. Information on the Irish Education system has been placed on the Department's website (www.education.ie) in 6 languages including Polish, Latvian, Lithuanian, Russian, Spanish and German.
