School Staff

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 June 2022

Wednesday, 15 June 2022

Questions (146)

Michael Lowry

Question:

146. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the reason that access to an English as an additional language teacher for a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary was revoked; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a direct provision centre was established in the area in November 2019 and that the number of English as an additional language pupils attending this school is approximately 22% of the school’s student population; the steps that will be taken to address the revocation of the post given that the school is continually increasing its number of English as an additional language pupils; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31259/22]

Written answers

Minister for Education

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.  

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.  Information is available in Circular 25/2022.

Since the original appeal decision was issued to the school referred to by the Deputy, officials from my Department have been in touch with the school principal who has submitted an application form.  The revised application form has been considered and the school has been informed of the provisional allocation of 1 fixed-term EAL post for the 2022/23 school year, pending confirmation of September enrolments.