Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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938. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of English as an additional language posts awarded from 2010 to September 2015 to date; by full-time post; by part-time post; by year. [37564/15]

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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939. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria required for a school to qualify for the allocation of an English as an additional language post. [37565/15]

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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940. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a school, where 20% of its total enrolment is made up of pupils who require English as an additional language support, qualifies for support as outlined in Circular 0005/2015. [37566/15]

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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941. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the budget for English as an additional language posts has been cut and, if so, the details of the cuts by post; by year. [37567/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 938 to 941, inclusive, together.

The level of extra teaching support provided in respect of language support to schools is determined by the numbers of eligible pupils enrolled and the associated levels of those pupils' language proficiency. Budget decisions since 2009 have reduced significantly the number of language support posts provided to schools. Arising from these decisions new arrangements (rule based allocations and appeal process) were put in place in recent years for the allocation of language support to schools. Prior to the 2012/2013 school year, these posts were allocated on a temporary basis by way of applications by individual schools.

Reforms introduced in the 2012/13 school year created a single simplified allocation process for both learning and language support. At primary level, learning/language support hours are allocated on the basis of mainstream classroom teaching posts in the school. At post-primary level, learning/language support is allocated on the basis of pupil numbers. Schools have autonomy to deploy this resource between learning support and language support depending on the specific needs of the school.

The new arrangements also provided for additional permanent teaching posts to be given to schools with high concentration of pupils that require language support.

Further additional temporary support is also provided, as necessary, to schools that have high concentrations of pupils that require language (EAL) support. At primary level, these allocations are made on the basis of appeals by any of these schools to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. Where at least 20% of the total enrolment of the school is made up of pupils that require EAL support, the school may lodge an appeal with the Appeals Board. Having considered the circumstances outlined by the school and having regard to the high number of pupils requiring EAL support, additional post(s) may be approved by the Appeals Board.

I will arrange for the information sought by the Deputy in relation to post numbers to be forwarded to him separately.