Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2009
572 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools which have a cohort of more than 50% of pupils who do not speak English as a first language; the number of language support teachers who will be allocated to such a school under the renewed programme for Government; the amount this will cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36722/09]
View answerThe renewed programme for Government commits the Government to maintain language support funding to schools and guarantee that the extra language support assistants will also be available in schools where more than 50% of pupils do not speak English as a first language. The level of extra teaching support provided in respect of language support to any school is determined by the numbers of eligible pupils enrolled and the associated assessed levels of these pupils' language proficiency. Under present arrangements which are set out in Department Circular 0015/2009 a school can be allocated up to four language support teachers. Additional support is also available for those schools which have at least 25% of their total enrolment made up of pupils that require language support. Such applications for additional language support are dealt with through the staffing appeals process. 99 such applications have to date been considered by the staffing appeals board for the current school year and this resulted in the allocation of 73 additional language support posts to 64 of these schools.
