Written answers

Thursday, 10 November 2005

Department of Education and Science

Languages Programme

5:00 pm

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 220: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the detailed report put forward by a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15; the language resources she provides already to the school; if there is a ceiling of such resources; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that the school faces a severe difficulty due to the number of international students and the lack of resources; and if she will make a statement on the matter including the proposals she has to give the school the support they require. [33739/05]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 221: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the situation in relation to the provision of additional support teachers for schools with significant numbers of non-national and international students especially students who have little or no facility with English; the quota of support; if there is a ceiling on the quota; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33740/05]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 220 and 221 together.

Schools catering for non-national pupils who have significant English language deficits are entitled to assistance to enable such pupils to gain full access to the curriculum. Primary schools in which between three and 13 non-English speaking non-national pupils are enrolled receive grant assistance for a period of up to two years. Primary schools with between three and eight such pupils receive grant assistance of €6,348.69 while schools with between nine and 13 such pupils receive assistance of €9,523.04. Schools which have between 14 and 27 such pupils enrolled are entitled to a full-time temporary language support teaching post at primary level. Schools with 28 or more such pupils are entitled to two full-time temporary language support teachers. Support is provided for an individual pupil for a period of up to two years. A third teaching post may be sanctioned in exceptional cases, following consideration by the Department of Education and Science's inspectorate. The school referred to by the Deputy has three language support teaching posts, as well as 33 mainstream teachers, five permanent learning support or resource teachers, two temporary learning support or resource teachers and a resource teacher for Travellers. Based on an enrolment of 936 pupils on 30 September 2005, the pupil teacher ratio, excluding the three additional language support teachers, is approximately 23:1. I am satisfied that the staffing of the school is sufficient to meet the needs of all pupils in the school, including non-national pupils.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.