Dr. Tony Gaynor:

I thank the Vice Chairman and members for giving me the opportunity to contribute to the joint committee’s consideration of developments in Irish language education. I am from the early years education and curriculum and assessment policy units in the Department. I am accompanied by Pádraig Mac Fhlannchadha, assistant chief inspector with responsibility for curriculum and assessment, and Elaine Ní Neachtain, education officer at the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment.

We agree with other speakers that the Irish language has an important role to play in Irish society. It can serve as a common source of identity in a diverse and multicultural Ireland. Effective learning of Irish that highlights the transferability of skills between English and Irish can help to create a sound foundation for the learning of other languages. Being bilingual or multilingual confers significant advantages on individuals in their personal and professional lives. It is important that the education system continue to produce speakers who are sufficiently proficient in Irish to ensure the language is passed on to future generations and meet the needs of a range of professions, particularly in education, the media, law and translation services.

I wish to outline the work of the Department of Education and Skills in improving the teaching and learning of Irish in the education system at primary and post-primary level. This work is mainly taking placing in the context of the 20-year strategy for the Irish language. We are liaising closely with our colleagues in the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to support the systematic implementation of the numerous educational measures included in the strategy. As part of this ongoing work, we have prioritised certain actions in the strategy, particularly those relating to the curriculum, assessment and teacher education. Another key focus has been the strengthening of Irish-medium education, particularly in Gaeltacht areas. The progress made in relation to the 20-year strategy for the Irish language is evident in the two progress reports published on the Department’s website.

Educational provision in Gaeltacht areas is a key priority for the Department which recognises that the Gaeltacht is of significant linguistic and cultural importance. It also recognises that there are particular challenges facing Gaeltacht schools, including the linguistic diversity of pupils and how to provide for the needs of native speakers, the issues raised particularly by Tuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta. In the light of this, the Department has carried out a review of Gaeltacht education. The purpose of the review is to identify policy options for Irish-medium educational provision in primary and post-primary schools in Gaeltacht areas. It is intended that these policy options will complement the implementation of the language processes taking place under the Gaeltacht Act 2012. Work on the review is well advanced. Intensive reviews of national and international research, an analysis of educational provision and case studies of practice in Gaeltacht schools have been carried out. Draft policy options have been prepared and are being considered by the Cabinet. It is intended that a consultation process on the draft proposals will be launched shortly. It is also intended that a national forum on the outcomes of the consultation process will take place later this year. The Department’s policy paper on Gaeltacht education will be finalised in the light of the consultation process and presented to the Minister for consideration before the end of the year.

The Department recognises that the provision of a relevant and quality Irish curriculum is an important driver of the teaching and learning of Irish in schools. The development of a new integrated primary language curriculum for primary pupils in infants to second class is well advanced and will be published in September for implementation from September 2016. Plans are also under way to develop an Irish language programme that will support the implementation of the new curriculum for Irish in English-medium schools.

As was referred to, a new junior cycle specification for Irish is being developed that will make provision for an oral language assessment in Irish for all students. This highlights the Department’s commitment to supporting the development of learners’ oral language competence in particular. A draft of the curriculum for consultation is available on the website of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. Work is also under way on the development of a short course which will meet the specific language needs of students in Irish-medium schools, including native speakers of Irish.

Considerable progress has been made in improving the tools available for the assessment of Irish. Standardised tests in Irish reading are available for administration by all primary schools. Each Irish-medium school is required to report the results of these tests at second, fourth and sixth classes to parents and the school board of management. In addition, the number of students opting for the oral language assessment of Irish in the junior certificate examination continues to increase. In 2014, 29% of students who sat the Irish examination participated in the oral Irish assessment.

The Department recognises the importance of ensuring teachers have both competence in the Irish language and pedagogical knowledge to teach Irish effectively. This issue has been raised by the COGG and Gaelscoileanna Teoranta, in particular.Provision for the teaching of Irish has been strengthened as part of the overall reconfiguration of primary initial teacher education programmes, of which there has been a lengthening. The revised initial teacher education programmes include an extended Gaeltacht placement experience for student teachers from one three-week period to two two-week periods.

The professional development service for teachers, PDST, continues to support teachers in the implementation of the Irish curriculum at both primary and post-primary levels. A particular emphasis is placed on in-school support and provision of materials online. Seminars and workshops are also offered based on national education priorities. Primary schools and teachers will receive support in the delivery of the new primary language curriculum during 2015 and 2016, one year prior to its implementation in schools in September 2016. Support for teachers in the context of the new junior cycle specification for the Irish language is expected to begin in 2015-16, a year in advance of the introduction of the specification in schools.

The number of students seeking exemptions from Irish classes has continued to increase. In the light of this, the Department has commenced a review of its current arrangements for granting exemptions from Irish classes. Work is well advanced and it is expected that a report will be provided for the Minister by the end of the year.

The Department is implementing a wide range of measures to support the teaching and learning of Irish in schools. It will review the effectiveness of these measures and continue to strengthen support for the teaching and learning of Irish in the education system as the 20-year strategy is fully rolled out.

My colleagues and I will be happy to respond to questions the committee might have.