Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 805: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the steps she has taken to date to implement the Joint Committee on Education and Science report of the Provision of Educational Services in a Multiethnic/ Multicultural Society; the recommendations that remain to be implemented; the cost involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20869/07]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Joint Committee Report of the Provision of Educational Services in a Multiethnic/Multicultural Society, which was published in April of 2004, is an important snap-shot of the educational needs of newcomers at a particular point in time.

I am pleased that since its publication, a great deal of work has been done in this area, which addresses the issues highlighted in the Report.

The importance the Government attaches to this area is emphasised by the establishment of the Office for Integration and my appointment as the first Minister for Integration. This development of this Office will greatly help the development of a coordinated and cohesive response to the integration of newcomers to Ireland. In particular, it will focus upon the work undertaken by three Government Departments: Education and Science; Justice, Equality and Law Reform; and Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Since the publication of the Joint Committee's Report, my Department has secured a number of achievements in regard to the educational integration of newcomers. These achievements are as follows:Language Support Teachers are provided at primary and post-primary levels to those schools which have newcomer pupils who do not have English as their first language. As Minister, I removed the 'cap' of two Language Support Teachers per school and extended the provision of language support beyond two years. As a result, some schools with a large number of newcomer children without English as their first language have up to 6 Language Support Teachers.

Towards 2016 provides for the provision of an extra 550 language support teachers by 2009 including 200 teachers (175 primary and 25 post-primary) in 2007, with a further 150 in 2008 and 200 in 2009. This will bring the overall number of such teachers to approximately 1,800 by 2009 (there are currently 1,450).

Language assessment kits, based on best international practice are to be provided to all primary schools during the 2007/08 school year. The kits will enable accurate initial and on-going assessment of language proficiency of newcomer children with a particular focus upon assessing whether language support needs to be provided beyond the current two year limit.

NCCA intercultural guidelines to support teachers and schools in developing a more inclusive learning environment and in providing students with knowledge and skills they need to participate in a multicultural world. Corresponding guidelines for intercultural education in post-primary schools have also been made available by the NCCA.

My Department continues to provide funding to Integrate Ireland Language Training (IILT) to provide Language Support Teachers with in-service training to assist them in meeting the English language needs of their pupils/students.

The Department has distributed a resource book ("Up and Away") for English Language Support Teachers to all primary schools which will serve as the basis for induction seminars for newly appointed Language Support Teachers.

Information on the Irish Education system has been placed on the Department's Website (www.education.ie) in 6 languages including Polish, Latvian, Lithuanian, Russian, Spanish and German.

An information pack for newcomer parents has been developed on a North/South basis. The pack will include information on education services, adult and community education programmes along with information on the health services, welfare entitlements, housing allocations, etc.

A practical toolkit for schools has been developed to facilitate capacity building for intercultural issues on a whole-school basis which will be targeted at mainstream classroom teachers. this will be distributed to schools in 2008.

The Department, in conjunction with the Office for Integration, have commissioned an independent review to assist in the development of a national English language training policy and framework for legally-resident adult immigrants based on extensive stakeholder consultation. This is due for completion in early 2008.