Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

Applications for part-time language support at primary level relate to schools that have less than 14 eligible pupils for language support. Decisions on these applications were deferred until the autumn, having regard to the overall level of demand for full-time language support and other upward pressures on teacher numbers in the context of operating under a fixed ceiling on teacher numbers. The increased retention level of pupils at post-primary level is a significant factor in the increased demand for teacher numbers. For many years this retention level has hovered around 81% but is now closer to 85%. While increasing this retention level is a long standing goal of the Department, it does nevertheless affect our capacity to manage within the fixed ceiling on teacher numbers.

Regrettably, my Department is not, therefore, in a position to approve applications for part-time language support posts and individual primary schools were notified accordingly.

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