Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 November 2020
486. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education the number of current permanent English as an additional language, EAL, posts in primary schools nationally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37969/20]
View answer487. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education the number of current permanent English as an additional language, EAL, posts in primary schools in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37970/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 486 and 487 together.
Each primary school receives a Special Education Teaching allocation. The Special Education Teaching allocation provides a single unified allocation for special educational support teaching needs to each school, based on each school’s educational profile and also encompasses the Language Support (EAL) allocation that schools were allocated in previous years.
The Department also provides additional allocations for schools with high concentration of pupils that require language support. Prior to the 2012/2013 school year, these posts were allocated on a temporary basis by way of applications by individual schools. The reforms introduced in the 12/13 school year provided for permanent EAL posts to be allocated to schools who had previously held temporary posts. There are 375 permanent EAL posts in primary schools, with 4 schools in Co. Donegal having a permanent EAL position.
Further temporary Language Support is also provided, as necessary, to schools that have high concentrations of pupils that require language (EAL) support. At primary level, these allocations are made on the basis of appeals by schools to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board.
