Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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26. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills how he is implementing European Union Directive 77/486 in education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18255/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Education and Skills seeks to improve the standard of language education and the language competency of migrant students in the primary and post primary sectors in several ways.

Firstly, the Department allocates teachers to teach English as an additional language. Some €100 million is provided to give such additional language support to schools in this academic year. The level of additional language support is determined by the numbers of eligible students enrolled and the associated assessed levels of those students' language proficiency. The challenge for schools is to ensure that this very significant resource is used to maximum effect.

Secondly, the Department provides a programme of continuing professional development (CPD) for EAL (English as an Additional Language) teachers, principals and mainstream class teachers. The range of supports offered includes: seminars/courses for teachers of EAL, staff and for principals. The Department also funds the English Language Support Teachers Association to encourage teachers to network, to share experience and to provide a forum for discussion.

Thirdly, the Department provides support materials through CPD and has also provided materials for schools including the primary and post-primary assessment kits and the intercultural guidelines issued by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). Web-based and multi-media supports have also been developed. These, together with a range of other material, are available through AIM, the web-based portal for Accessing Intercultural Material.

The Intercultural Education Strategy requires that due cognisance be given to the importance of mother tongue by encouraging migrant students to maintain a connection with their mother tongue and culture to assist in the development of their sense of identity, belonging and self-esteem, as well as their proficiency in the language of instruction.

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