Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 474: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the responsibilities the Minister with responsibility for integration has within his Department; the section of his Department with which he works; the portion of his Departmental budget for which he has direct responsibility; the series of functions within his Department which have, following a Cabinet decision, been devolved to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17919/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister of State for Integration Policy, appointed under the previous Government, was responsible for integration policy functions in my Department relating to the following. Ensuring that the range of education policies across different areas of the Department and the bodies under its aegis take account of the need to integrate immigrants and their families, in particular in relation to further development of policy in relation to the deployment of language support teachers for newcomers in schools; appropriate teaching materials, supports and advice for schools on how to meet the needs of newcomer children; development, in conjunction with other relevant Departments and agencies, of a national policy on the provision of English language education for adult newcomers; implementation of the Department of Education and Science aspects of the National Action Plan against Racism; liaison with education partners (management bodies, unions, parents, representatives of school principals) on newcomer issues; review of international developments and trends in relation to newcomers; development of appropriate linkages with the Department of Education in Northern Ireland on newcomer issues; co-ordinating the work of the Department of Education and Science on the integration of newcomers with the related work of other relevant Departments and State Agencies.

An Integration Unit has been established in the Department to oversee directly the remit of the former Minister of State. The Unit liaises with other sections of the Department as required. Most front line sections have a role in the promotion of integration policy in all educational services and institutes. Services for newcomers are funded from the budgets of the front line sections providing these services. No budget allocation has been made specifically for the Minister of State within the Department of Education and Science.