Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 May 2023
305. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a breakdown of the primary and secondary schools in County Mayo that have been sanctioned for additional education supports for English as an Additional Language, taking into account the number of additional children enrolled into mainstream primary and secondary schools under international protection and benefices of temporary protection. [24595/23]
View answerThe 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. All schools are advised in the first instance to review whether the needs of newly enrolled pupils can be met from within existing allocations.
The Department also provides specific English Language support to schools with pupils newly arrived into the country that have English as an additional language.
Schools may apply for further language support through the staffing appeals process. Having considered the circumstances outlined by the school and having regard to the high number of pupils requiring EAL support, additional support may be approved to meet the educational needs of such pupils.
Details of the current level of EAL support provided to schools in Co. Mayo, under the New Entrant allocation process, are attached.
