Written answers

Tuesday, 6 July 2010

Department of Education and Science

School Staffing

10:00 am

Photo of Fergus O'DowdFergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 631: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if he will re-examine an appeal in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Dublin regarding the proposed reduction from one temporary teacher to four part time teaching hours per week of English as a foreign language support for the year 2010 to 2011 in view of the fact that 94 out of 373 students do not have English as their first language which is equivalent to 25.2% of the school population thus placing excessive demands on the school learning support team; if an urgent meeting can be held with his officials and the school authorities to discuss a resolution of this critical issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29349/10]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools are published annually on my Department's website. Department Circular 0015/2009 set out the resources available to schools for language support (EAL) and is also available on the Department website. Under present arrangements a school can be allocated up to 4 language support teachers.

Additional support is also available for those schools which have at least 25% of their total enrolment made up of pupils that require language support (pupils with less than B1 (Level 3) proficiency). Such applications for additional language support are dealt with through the Staffing Appeals process.

I understand that the school referred to by the Deputy submitted an appeal to the Primary Staffing Appeal Board. The Board determined that the school was ineligible to appeal and thus a departure from the EAL staffing schedule was not warranted in this case. The school has been notified in this regard. The Appeal Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.

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