Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 525: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the circumstances under which the cap of two language support teachers per school will be lifted; the criteria a school will have to meet in order to receive more than two language support teachers in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37067/08]

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 six extra teachers per school to a maximum of two teachers per school, as was the case before 2007. 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 2009/2010 school year, based on their assessment of the prospective needs of existing pupils and any new pupils they are enrolling.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 526: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their 2.5% pay increase due as a retired VEC teacher. [37071/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Payment of the increase due under the Towards 2016 Agreement is dependent, in the case of each sector, organisation and grade, on verification of co-operation with flexibility and change, including co-operation with satisfactory implementation of the agenda for modernisation set out in the Agreement, maintenance of stable industrial relations and absence of industrial action in respect of any matters covered by the Agreement. Discussions in relation to certain aspects of the modernisation agenda are currently taking place under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council. As the discussions are ongoing, a decision has not yet been made as to whether payment of the increase due on 1 September 2008 is warranted. Payment of the increase in the pensions of retired teachers may only be approved following its sanction for payment to serving personnel.