Vol. 511 No. 1
180 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to provide additional resources and in-service training for teachers who have students from varied ethnic backgrounds in their care; if he has satisfied himself that these teachers are adequately supported to deal with cultural or religious issues that may arise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23728/99]
At primary and second level, my Department has allocated additional teaching posts to address the difficulties associated with teaching pupils from varied ethnic backgrounds.
Where the necessity for personal development is identified for teachers dealing with pupils from varied ethnic backgrounds, the Department responds to this need. In this regard, the refugee language support unit, which has been established under the management of Trinity College earlier this year with support from my Department, has begun to provide specific support for teachers who have students from varied ethnic backgrounds in their classes.
On a more general basis, the civic social and political education programme also provides the opportunity for teachers to address the issue of ethnic diversity and teachers from a number of schools have received inservice in the areas of interculturalism and understanding refugees.
