Vol. 520 No. 5
31 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide extra finance to schools who have a large number of students where English is not their first language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16123/00]
As the Deputy may be aware, my Department is providing additional teaching resources at both primary and second level to assist schools with significant numbers of pupils with English language deficits.
Primary schools with between four and 14 such pupils receive grant aid to enable them to provide additional teaching hours to meet the English language needs of their pupils. These grants amount to £5,000 in the case of schools with four to nine such pupils, and £7,500 where ten to 14 pupils are enrolled. A small start up grant is also payable to such schools.
At second level, my Department has allocated approximately 12 whole-time equivalent teaching posts in the current school year specifically to cater for the needs of children who do not speak English as their first language. Individual post-primary schools or vocational education committees may apply for additional teaching hours in respect of non-national students who may have particular English language deficits. Furthermore, where extra accommodation is shown to be necessary as a result of the enrolment of non-national pupils, my Department will bear the cost of providing such accommodation.
I point out that all non-national pupils who are validly enrolled are included in the overall school enrolment for the purposes of capitation, free books and other grant schemes operated by my Department.
