Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 529: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount his Department is spending on training language support teachers in the 2008/2009 school year; if this money will continue to be spent in view of the fact that he intends to remove 500 language support teachers from the primary school system; if the in-service training organised by his Department will continue; the cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40663/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is providing support and training for teachers of English as an additional language in the current school year. A dedicated team within the Primary Professional Development Service (PPDS) is in place for the provision of support at primary level and the first of days of training is currently ongoing. Design and provision of the second day will take place in early 2009.

It is envisaged that there will be over 1,400 language support teachers in our schools in September 2009 and up to about 500 other teachers in part-time posts. By any standards this is a very significant resource and the challenge will be to ensure that it is used to maximum effect.

At post primary level, the Second Level Support Service (SLSS) have identified members of their team to provide training and support for teachers of English as an additional language. The training has been designed and will be rolled out in early 2009.

The budget for the PPDS EAL provision in 2008 is €257,000 exclusive of personnel costs. The budgets for next year have not yet been finalised but I expect they will be in the coming weeks.