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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 8 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 4

Written Answers. - School Staffing.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

154 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of non-national children in primary and secondary schools who do not speak English as their first language; the number benefiting from the allocation of an additional teacher for this purpose; and the programme for extra tuition which is necessary to assist integrating into normal classroom instruction. [26431/99]

The details regarding the number of non-national children attending primary and second level schools who do not speak English as their first language are not available. However, I am aware that increasing numbers of non-national children have been enrolled in a number of schools in the Dublin area recently. I also understand that very many of these children have very little competence in the English language, and I appreciate the difficulties faced by schools in providing education for them.

My Department carried out a detailed examination of the situation in 1998, following which an additional 14 teaching posts in primary schools were provided early this year to address the difficulties associated with teaching non-English speaking pupils from various ethnic backgrounds. A further 15 posts in primary schools were sanctioned during the summer to assist schools where large numbers of refugee children from Kosovo had been enrolled. My Department has also allocated approximately 12 whole-time equivalent second level teaching posts specifically to cater for the needs of children who do not speak English as their first language.
I am currently examining what additional educational provisions might be made to meet the needs of non-English speaking pupils.
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