Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Ná habair é. Maidir leis na deontais, from the point of view of the grants, and I acknowledge and appreciate that the Deputy has said gur maith an rud é go bhfuil siad ar ais, that it is good that they are back. It was an extraordinary achievement le linn na paindéime, to be able to provide oideachas ar líne for students. The Deputy will note that I acknowledged initially that it was most definitely the preference of the students themselves to have the experience in the Gaeltacht. Under restrictions and so forth that was not possible and measures had to be found.

I appreciate the point made by the Deputy that nothing takes the place of that one-to-one experience on-the-ground. It was an achievement to facilitate the completion of education degrees for some students by offering the opportunity online. As to students who have missed out on opportunities going forward, beidh mé sásta, I will be happy to look to see what we might be in a position to do.

On the positive steps sa todhchaí and when we will actually see them flourish and see their benefits, in the first instance, I appreciate that the Deputy has acknowledged that there have been some very significant steps taken in improving the caighdeán or the standard in Irish for newly-qualified teachers in the setting of very high standards. Mar Aire Oideachais it is the aidhm or cuspóir at all times to ensure high quality of standards in delivery of education, including in the teaching of Irish.

As referred to earlier and as members will be aware, we have discussed the duration of the teacher training programmes which have gone from three to four years. The Master’s programme has moved from one year to two and there are also extended periods in the Gaeltacht.

Interestingly enough as to the time spent by students in the Gaeltacht, students must now have an immersive experience in the Gaeltacht to ensure that that learning is part of their overall portfolio of learning, which is a significant one for primary school teachers which must be added to their folder with all that that involves.

The Deputy will also be aware that the Teaching Council reviewed and updated the standards with Céim: Standards for Initial Teacher Education and all that that also involves. The HEIs are looking very rigorously at the implementation of quality Gaeltacht experiences.