Tom Barry (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 140: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will allocate an additional English language teaching provision as a matter of urgency for a school (details supplied) in County Cork. [13524/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Significant support is given to schools by way of language support provision. The level of extra teaching support provided in respect of language support to any school is determined by the numbers of eligible pupils enrolled and the associated assessed levels of those pupils' language proficiency. This is done through an annual application process in the Spring-Summer of each year. My Department has received an application for part-time language support in respect of the school referred to by the Deputy for the 2011-2012 school year. Such applications relate to schools who have less than 14 eligible pupils for language support

Having regard to the overall level of demand for language support and other upward pressures on teacher numbers, the Department is not in a position at this stage to process and approve applications for part-time language support posts. This application will be considered in the Autumn when a clearer picture will have emerged in relation to how the Department is managing with the overall limits on teacher numbers.