Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Special Education Teaching allocation provides a single unified allocation for special educational support teaching needs to each school, based on each school’s educational profile and also encompasses the Language Support (EAL) allocation that schools were allocated in previous years. All schools are advised in the first instance to review whether the needs of newly enrolled pupils can be met from within existing allocations.

The Department also provides specific English Language support to schools with pupils newly arrived into the country that have English as an additional language.

Schools may apply for further language support through the staffing appeals process. Having considered the circumstances outlined by the school and having regard to the high number of pupils requiring EAL support, additional support may be approved to meet the educational needs of such pupils.

The school referred to by the Deputy currently has an allocation of 2 temporary EAL posts for the 2023/24 school year. The school has submitted an application for EAL support for the 2024/25 school year and will be informed of the outcome of their application shortly.