Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 443: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the cost of English language teaching for migrant children in the 2007-08 school year; the breakdown between primary and post-primary and the corresponding number of pupils accommodated; the number of pupils who entered the system at both levels for the first time prior to the commencement of the school year and those who entered during the school year; the overall number at each level that required assistance beyond the two year period; his plans to review the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25392/08]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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The total cost of providing English language support to children in our primary and post primary schools is estimated to be over €120 million in the 2007/2008 school year. An estimated €30 million of this cost is in relation to post primary education.

It is estimated that in the region of 28,000 children in first and second level schools benefited from English language support in the 2007/2008 school year because English or Irish was not their first language. The corresponding figure for the previous school year is 23,500.

The substantial increase in the number of language support teachers underlines the important improvements made in this area in recent years. The previous limit of two teachers per primary school and the limit of two years' support to an individual pupil was changed. The total number of children who received more than 2 years English language support is not readily available.

In order to ensure that schools can accurately and objectively assess the language requirement of children, my Department has recently sent assessment materials to all schools. The assessment materials will enable schools to ensure that the specific language requirements of children needing support are met in a targeted way.

A number of research projects are also underway. The Inspectorate is conducting an evaluation of the provision of English as an Additional Language (EAL) in a number of primary and post-primary schools in 2008 and 2009. A report will be prepared for mid 2009. The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) is undertaking a large-scale study into how an increasing diversity of students impacts upon resource requirements and day to day teaching and learning in primary and post-primary schools. It is expected that this review will be completed in autumn 2008.

The Department of Education and Science has agreed to become involved in the OECD thematic review of migrant education policy and practice at preschool, primary and post-primary, which will be carried out by a team of OECD experts. It is expected that the OECD report will be completed by autumn 2009.

The findings of this research work will evaluate current provision and will inform me on ways, where such are indicated, to improve the standard of English language education for migrant pupils in primary and post- primary schools.