Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2020
630. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) recently lost an English as an additional language, EAL, post; the reason for this, if it can be appealed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15435/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe staffing arrangements for primary schools for the 2020/21 school year, as set out in Circular 0018/2020 provides details on the staffing appeal process, which includes a criteria for schools with a significant EAL requirement to apply for additional resources.
Since the 2017/18 school year the 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.
Under this allocation model, schools have been provided with a total allocation for special education needs support based on their school profile.
The provision of a profiled allocation is designed to give a fairer allocation for each school which recognises that all schools need an allocation for special needs support, including language support, but which provides a graduated allocation which takes into account the actual level of need in each school.
Under this allocation model, schools are frontloaded with resources, based on each school’s profile, to provide supports immediately to those pupils who need it without delay.
Further additional temporary Language Support is also provided, as necessary, to schools that have high concentrations of pupils that require language (EAL) support.
The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an appeal on EAL grounds to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board and has been informed that the appeal has been successful, pending confirmation of enrolments on 30th September 2020.
