Mairéad Farrell
Question:125. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Education the support being provided to second-level students on the offshore islands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57309/21]
View answerTuesday, 23 November 2021
Questions (125)
Written answers
A package of additional supports was provided for each of the five island post-primary schools from September 2018 onwards. The package of supports comprises:
- an additional teacher allocation for each of the island post-primary schools of 1 full-time equivalent post to 1.5 full-time equivalent posts
- an additional ring-fenced budget of €15,000 per annum for each school
- the establishment of Coláiste Naomh Eoin, which previously had the status of an Aonad, as an independent stand-alone post-primary school on Inis Meáin, County Galway.
The five island post-primary schools all participate in the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme (GSRS) and have been in receipt of additional supports under this scheme since 2018. These include:
- 7 additional teaching hours for Irish per week, in line with school enrolment, as outlined in Circular 0013/2021
- an annual grant of €1,200 to purchase Irish-language teaching resources
- additional Professional Development provided by COGG
- advisory visits from Inspectors to support schools in implementing language-based criteria to meet the aims of the Scheme.
4 of the 5 island post-primary schools have also opted to participate in the e-Hub project as part of the Scheme to extend the range of subject options available through the medium of Irish to senior cycle students since 2019. The participating island schools have been provided with additional resources including once-off funding (€ 5,000) for each school to purchase technology equipment to support the teaching and learning of Physics online. An additional allocation of 4 hours per week per student cohort has been provided for each of the four participating post-primary schools to provide an e-mentor to support students participating in the project.
Question No. 126 answered with question No. 101.