Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the recent circular 30/2011 to schools in the Lucan area of County Dublin and the impact that this will have on a school (details supplied), if his attention has been drawn to the fact that since 2008 this school, like others in the area, has increased its pupil population by more than 300% in three years; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that more than 30 different languages other than English and Irish is the first language of children attending; if he will review this plan of appointments of learning support resource teacher posts and work with schools in dealing with the impact of circular 30/2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13315/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Department Circular 30/2011 sets out the arrangements for the deployment of resource teaching posts in schools for the 2011/12 school year. The purpose of this circular is to inform schools of the arrangements that are being put in place for the 2011/12 school year in respect of their NCSE approved resource hours so that posts are deployed in line with authorised allocations.

The Department's approach has allowed schools "roll-over" all their existing full-time posts on the condition that any surplus capacity in these posts is shared with other local schools. If the "roll-over" arrangements are not sufficient to meet a school's NCSE approved allocation they must firstly contact their local schools for any surplus capacity and then, if necessary, there is an application process to the Department under the circular. My Department has also received an application for language support for the school referred to by the Deputy. The application has been processed and the school has been advised of their allocation for the 2011/2012 school year accordingly.