Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As to the fruition of all these measures, like anything one has to set the seeds first. We will be in a position to judge over time the success of these measures. We have referred, in particular, the example of education qualifications through Irish and the priority that is given to those who are native Irish speakers in taking up positions as teachers. It is an incremental judgment which will be continuously reviewed and there will be on an ongoing willingness to introduce new measures in the future.

Finally, on the point raised about the younger people and the experience of education, it is interesting to note that is í an fhadhb is mó that has been identified by the cigirí and others is the element of confidence around an Ghaeilge from the point of view of na múinteoirí agus is dócha na daltaí freisin. That is where the greatest emphasis needs to be placed now. We need to have teachers who have confidence in the teaching of Irish and we are making particular provision for that. We are giving extensive continuing professional development, CPD, Gaeilge Bheo! and a variety of other courses which offer teachers the opportunity to brush up on their Irish skills. There are also opportunities for teachers if they wish to take on an additional subject which might be Irish.

The greatest initiative that we need to inject into the teaching of education is the confidence. If we have confident teachers we will also have confident young people.