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School Staff

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 April 2015

Wednesday, 15 April 2015

Ceisteanna (685)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

685. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an appeal to the decision of her Department not to award an English teacher as an additional language teacher to a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15, in view of the fact that 91% of the school's students are from immigrant backgrounds; if her Department will award a permanent English teacher as an additional language teacher to the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14037/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Reforms introduced in the 2012/13 school year created a single simplified allocation process for both learning and language support. At primary level, learning/language support hours are allocated on the basis of mainstream classroom teaching posts in the school. Schools have autonomy to deploy this resource between learning support and language support depending on the specific needs of the school.

The new arrangements also provided for additional permanent teaching posts to be given to schools with high concentration of pupils that require language support. Further additional temporary support is also provided, as necessary, to schools that have high concentrations of pupils (at least 20% of total enrolment) that require language (EAL) support. These allocations are made on the basis of appeals by any of these schools to the Staffing Appeals Board. The appeal criteria are set out in the published staffing arrangements.

The staffing arrangements, including information on EAL (language support) allocations, for primary schools for the 2015/16 school year are set out in Department Circular 0005/2015 which is available on my Department's website. Under the staffing arrangements those schools that were allocated a permanent language support (EAL) post for the 2014/15 school year will retain this post for the 2015/16 school year.

The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an appeal under the EAL criterion to the March 2015 meeting of the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The Appeals Board decided to give provisional approval to the school for 4 temporary EAL posts, an increase of 1 post on their current EAL allocation. This decision is conditional on the school achieving projected enrolment figures in September, 2015 for pupils that require language support. The school has been notified in this regard. The Primary Staffing Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.

Question No. 686 answered with Question No. 684.
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