Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 150: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she is satisfied that the English language support for newcomer children in schools here is anywhere near adequate to meet her proposals in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27949/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department estimates that there are in the region of 28,000 students in our schools whose first language is not English or Irish. In order to meet their language needs, my Department in May 2007 issued a circular, reference 0053/2007, to the managerial authorities of all schools — both primary and post primary — to assist them in providing an inclusive school environment to meet the needs of pupils for whom English is a second language. The circular outlines the resources that are available to assist schools in this task. The circular is accessible on the website of my Department.

Language support teachers are appointed to assist schools in providing additional language support teaching for pupils. In collaboration with parents and class teachers, language support teachers identify pupils requiring additional support, administer the assessment materials developed by Integrate Ireland Language and Training, devise appropriate language programmes, deliver the programmes and record and monitor pupils' progress. It is important that expertise is shared and good practice is communicated and disseminated in order to optimise the opportunities pupils have for developing their proficiency in English.

The level of additional teacher support allocated to primary and post primary schools will continue to be determined by the number of enrolled pupils for whom English is a second language and the associated assessed levels of pupils' language proficiency. The circular sets out the resources that can be accessed by schools to cater for such pupils where the number of pupils in the school is 14 or more. Some schools currently have up to 6 language support teacher posts.

In addition, schools with between 3 and 13 eligible pupils receive grant assistance towards the cost of employing part-time teachers. Schools with 3 to 8 such pupils receive a grant of over €6,300, while schools with between 10 and 13 such pupils receive over €9,500. Over €4 million is being provided for such grants in 2007.

My Department will continue to respond to requests by schools for additional language support teachers in accordance with the terms of the relevant regulations and will ensure that the investment in this area is underpinned by the right support and training for the teachers.