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Special Educational Needs.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2009

Tuesday, 16 June 2009

Questions (230, 231)

Joe Carey

Question:

253 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will approve the application of the board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23559/09]

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Written answers

In light of the Budget 2009 decision my Department has now published a circular for schools which sets out how the new arrangements will operate for the allocation of language support teachers from September 2009. The circular sets out a structured and transparent approach for the operation of the alleviation measures that were announced in the budget for schools that have a significant concentration of newcomer pupils. The alleviation measures mean that these schools can qualify for up to 4 language support posts with the possibility of additional posts also being approved through the independent staffing appeals mechanism.

Schools can now apply to my Department in the normal way for language support posts. These posts are approved on a provisional basis initially and will be confirmed in September 2009 following receipt from the schools of actual enrolments of pupils requiring language support. It is estimated that notwithstanding the budget measures there will be approximately 1,500 language support teaching posts in our primary and post-primary schools in September 2009. By any standards this is a very significant resource and the challenge will be to ensure that it is used to maximum effect.

Additional supports are provided for children in primary schools who do not meet the qualifying criteria for the appointment of full-time teachers in the form of grant aids for the employment of part-time English language support teachers. 443 schools have benefited from this type of financial support in the current school year.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

254 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if a review or increase in home tuition grant will be arranged in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23568/09]

View answer

The Deputy will be aware that the home tuition scheme provides a grant to parents to facilitate the provision of education at home for children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend school. The scheme was extended in recent years to facilitate tuition for children awaiting an educational placement and to provide early intervention for pre-school children with autism.

The maximum allocation of 20 hours per week has been sanctioned for the child in question.

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