Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 170: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of posts allocated to primary schools in each county for the teaching of English as an additional language. [30129/11]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 171: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of posts allocated to second level schools in each county for the teaching of English as an additional language. [30130/11]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 172: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of appeals submitted this year by primary schools against a decision not to sanction the appointment of a teacher of English as an additional language; and the number of schools to which posts were allocated on appeal. [30131/11]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 173: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of appeals submitted this year by second level schools against decisions not to sanction the appointment of a teacher of English as an additional language; and the number of schools to which posts were allocated on appeal. [30132/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 170 to 173, inclusive, together.

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. There are currently circa 840 full-time teaching posts in respect of English as an additional language (EAL) allocated to primary schools for the 2011-2012 school year. The corresponding whole time equivalent figure for post primary schools is 200 posts. The final EAL position for all schools will ultimately not be known until later in the Autumn. At that stage the allocation process will be fully completed and the latest appeals to the Staffing Appeals Board will have been considered. 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 language support posts received from primary schools after 6 May 2011. Such applications will be considered shortly when a clearer picture will have emerged in relation to how the Department is managing within the overall limits on teacher numbers. All applications for the appointment of teachers of English as an additional language from post primary schools that had met the criteria laid down in the allocations process were sanctioned.

The allocation process also includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeal Board. To date, 56 primary schools have appealed their EAL allocation to the Primary Staffing Appeal Board of which 21 were successful. The Appeal Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final. There were no EAL appeals from post primary schools.