Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 280: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will confirm that additional supports will be given to schools (details supplied) in Dublin 24 to allow the board cater for the increased newcomer population in these schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36744/08]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Notwithstanding the increase of €302 million in the Education budget for 2009, which is a real achievement in the current economic climate, a number of tough and difficult decisions had to be taken. These decisions included reducing the level of language support teachers from a maximum of 6 extra teachers per school to a maximum of 2 teachers per school — as was the case pre 2007. This change will take effect in September 2009.

However, the budget measures also provide for some alleviation for the position of those schools where there is a significant concentration of newcomer pupils as a proportion of the overall enrolment. This will be done on a case by case basis. The allocation process for language support teachers is an annual one and existing provision is not rolled over automatically. Schools will be applying afresh in the Spring and early Summer of 2009 for the 2009/10 school year, based on their assessment of the prospective needs of existing pupils and any new pupils that they are enrolling. The position of the school in question will fall to be considered at that stage along with all other schools making application to the Department.

A wide range of materials are available for schools and for English Language Support Teachers, including the Primary School Assessment Kit. This Kit was commissioned by the Department, and issued to schools earlier this summer. These 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. A new team within the Primary Professional Development Service is providing training for primary English Language Support Teachers. This is currently being rolled out across the country through the network of education centres. This training will help to enhance the ability of such teachers to address the English language needs of our newcomer students.