Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 490: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the projected cost of removing the cap on the number of English language support teachers for newcomer children to which schools will now be entitled; the way language support teachers will be allocated to schools in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8668/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that recently I announced the schools which are to benefit from the 200 extra language support posts provided for in the 2007 Estimates. These extra 200 posts will bring the total number of language support teachers in our schools to 1,450. These new resources are intended for schools with large numbers of pupils who do not have English as a first language. Under the revised arrangements, depending on the number of eligible pupils enrolled, schools may now have up to six language support teachers.

The additional 200 teachers are part of the Government's commitment in Towards 2016 to provide an extra 550 language support teachers by 2009 and to reform the limit of two teachers per school. It is intended that a further 350 language support teachers will be provided between 2008 and 2009. The estimated cost of providing these extra 550 language support teachers is of the order of €32 million.

Under current arrangements, the additional language support to an individual pupil is generally given for a period of two years. However, it is accepted that children have different levels of language and different levels of aptitude for language learning.

In order to ensure that schools can accurately and objectively assess the language requirement of children, my Department will be sending to primary schools assessment materials which have been developed by Integrate Ireland Language and Training (IILT). The assessment materials will enable schools to ensure that the specific language requirements of children needing support are met in a targeted way. The IILT materials will also enable accurate initial and on-going assessment of the language proficiency of the child and his or her need for continued language support.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 491: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary schools with access to a qualified physical education teacher; the number of secondary schools which employ at least one qualified PE teacher; the number of primary schools that do not have access to a qualified PE teacher; the number of secondary schools that do not employ a qualified PE teacher; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8669/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of PE teachers employed in second level schools is not readily available within my Department.

Teacher allocations for second level schools are approved by my Department on an annual basis in accordance with generally applied rules based on recognised pupil enrolments on the 30th of September of the preceding school year.

Each school management authority is required to organise its curriculum, teaching time-table and subject options having regard to pupils' needs within the limits of its approved teacher allocation. The appointment of teachers to posts within the approved quota is a matter for the authorities of the schools concerned.

At primary level, Physical Education is one of the seven curriculum areas and is an intrinsic element of the Primary School Curriculum which was revised in 1999. A minimum of one hour of physical education per week is recommended for all primary school pupils. All qualified Primary teachers are qualified to teach the full spectrum of the Primary Curriculum including Physical Education.