Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Question 24: 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, the impact 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 numbers 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 are the first languages of children attending; if he will review his plan of appointments of learning support resource teachers posts and work with schools in dealing with the impact of circular 30/2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14369/11]

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 Department's approach has allowed schools "roll-over" their existing full-time resource 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 neighbouring schools for any surplus capacity and then, if necessary, there is an application process to the Department for any remaining balance.

The circular also informs schools that the Department will look in the Autumn at its capacity within overall teacher numbers to update the General Allocation hours for learning support in developing schools to reflect increased enrolments.

Finally, in relation to language support the school referred to by the Deputy has recently being informed of its allocation for 2011/12 school year.