Tom Morrissey (Progressive Democrats)

I thank the Minister, Deputy O'Dea, for coming to the Seanad this evening to respond on the Adjournment to my comments about the language needs of foreign primary school pupils, an issue I last raised approximately 12 months ago. I am raising the problems in this regard again this evening because they are continuing to increase. Additional resources need to be invested to assist schools which cater for large numbers of pupils who speak very little English. The resources of certain schools are under great strain and teachers are under great pressure because 40% or 50% of pupils in some of their classes are not from Ireland. I am firmly of the view that one size no longer fits all in such circumstances. We need to develop a programme to deal specifically with some of the schools to which I refer.

I acknowledge that tremendous work has been done in areas like language support, learning support and special needs education in recent years. Many additional teachers have been employed in such areas. It is quite common for pupils without a word of English to present themselves in second, third or fourth classes. Language disability in a classroom context is one of the greatest disabilities a child can face. A simple task like taking the roll can be one of the most difficult tasks of the day for a teacher if the children in his or her classroom cannot comprehend that they are being asked to state whether they are present in school. I would like language support and social integration services for such children to be brought into a new era. If children without any English language skills enrol in a school six months before the beginning of a new school year, they should be given language support before the school year starts.

If we continue with the current level of resources, there will be a great cost to society. Our schools are trying to play catch-up at present. Not only do children need to be helped to develop their English language skills, but their parents must also be supported before their children enter classrooms. Those of us who are familiar with gaelscoileanna in our local areas know it is unheard of for a child without a word of Irish to be enrolled in first, second or third class in such a school. The equivalent is happening in English language schools — people are enrolling children who do not have a word of English and teachers are being asked to deal with the problems which follow. We need to provide resources in a different manner than we have done to date.

Large numbers of people from other countries are required in this country and we accept that they are coming here. If the integration of such people is as important as we consider it to be, we need to ensure they are helped to overcome language problems, which comprise the most serious form of disability of all, especially for children. I fear that some children will be lost from the school system within a few years if we do not address this matter. If, as a result, we have to spend additional moneys on social services, rather than education, we will be paying dearly for not taking action. I acknowledge that great strides have been made in areas like special needs, learning support and language support. We have to offer children who cannot speak English more than 45 minutes of language support outside the classroom, however, as that is not enough. The parents of such children also need to be brought into this equation so that they understand what is required if their children are to be integrated successfully into classrooms and schools. I hope the Government will address this matter in a different manner soon.