Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 October 2013
237. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that children of overseas families placed in Ireland, who have no English language skills whatsoever, are being placed in schools with no language support teachers, in classes of between 30 and 35; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38772/13]
View answerSince September 2012 the combined resources available for learning support (General Allocation Model) and language support (EAL) have been merged into a single simplified allocation process. Schools have autonomy on how to deploy the resource between language support and learning support depending on their specific needs. The new single allocation for the General Allocation Model (GAM) and language support (EAL) is based on the number of classroom teaching posts in each school in the previous school year. The new arrangements since September 2012 also provide for over 370 additional permanent teaching posts to be given to schools with high concentration of pupils that require language support (EAL).
The arrangements for the current school year are set out in Department Circular 0013/2013 which is available on the Department website. The full list of all the relevant schools are included as part of Circular 0013/2013. In addition, the staffing appeal process at primary level includes the provision whereby schools with high concentration of pupils requiring English as an additional language (EAL) can apply for additional temporary language support posts. These EAL allocations are made on the basis of appeals by schools to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. Details of the appeals process for the 2013/14 school year are also available in Circular 0013/2013 referred to above.
