Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

Teaching English as a second language is a key task and challenge for our infant and primary schools, given the increased levels of immigration, but the policy of the Department of Education - the Taoiseach's Government policy - is making the task of the schools far more difficult and has the potential to prove very divisive. Until recently, the norm has been for children to be entitled to two years of teaching of English as a second language. However, the policy has been changed. A child is now only entitled to this support for the two years immediately after their family has moved to this State. The result is that children born in this country, Irish citizens, whose families speak their native language at home, are now being denied this support. More recent arrivals, such as Ukrainian children, are being provided with this support, as they rightly should be. However, it is a divisive and, in some cases, racist policy.

I put it to the Taoiseach that it should be reversed immediately in favour of the original position, backed up with the necessary resources.

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