Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 58: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the schools that have been allowed keep more than two staff in English as an additional language programme, under the exceptional circumstances clause which he has promised will be used to exempt certain schools from this cutback; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12255/09]

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 74: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his Department is planning to issue a circular to schools on the status and administration of the English language as an additional language programme; the main points of the forthcoming circular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12256/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 58 and 74 together.

In light of the Budget 2009 decision my Department has now published a circular for schools which sets out how the new arrangements will operate for the allocation of language support teachers from September 2009. The circular sets out a structured and transparent approach for the operation of the alleviation measures that were announced in the budget for schools that have a significant concentration of newcomer pupils. The alleviation measures mean that these schools can qualify for up to four language support posts with the possibility of additional post(s) also being approved through the independent staffing appeals mechanism.

Schools can now apply to my Department in the normal way for language support posts. These posts are approved on a provisional basis initially and will be confirmed in September 2009 following receipt from the schools of actual enrolments of pupils requiring language support. It is estimated that notwithstanding the budget measures there will be over 1,400 language support teaching posts in our primary and post-primary 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.