Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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353. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for the number of EAL teachers allocated to schools on a permanent and temporary basis over the past five years; the level of investment in EAL provision over those years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28524/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Department has adapted to the dynamic landscape of student enrolment.

The Department has prioritised enhancing English as an Additional Language (EAL) support, recognising the critical role of language proficiency in successful integration and academic achievement.

All schools are advised in the first instance to review whether the needs of newly enrolled pupils can be met from within existing allocations. Language supports are included through the Special Education Teaching (SET) which encompasses an element of Language (EAL) support allocation. Under this SET model, schools are frontloaded with resources to provide support immediately to those pupils who need it without delay.

The Department's policies enable flexible resource allocation to ensure that the resources follow children in the event of them changing schools. Schools may also apply for further language support by an application process during the school year, should their circumstances change. These supports to schools, based on application process, are provided for new-entrant pupils (i.e., pupils arrived in the country in the last 2 years with an EAL requirement) and those schools with a high concentration of pupils that are not classified as new-entrant pupils but who have an EAL need i.e., those pupils with less than 3 years EAL support and register less than B1 in an English proficiency test.

The Department’s Inspectorate report www.gov.ie/en/press-release/985fa-department-of-education-inspectorate-publishes-findings-from-school-inspections-of-english-as-an-additional-language/ outlines the best practice approaches in the teaching and learning of EAL involving mainstream teachers. The report underscores the importance of English language provision for educational equity and wellbeing and applauds schools for promoting diversity and belonging. The Department will use its recommendations to enhance learning experiences across all schools.

The attached table shows details as requested by the Deputy.

">EAL Posts 2020 to 2024