Mr. Paddy Flood:

To be specific to Gaeilge, the attitude towards the language is particularly important. We have a new and expanded role for the Gaelcholaistí and Gaelscoileanna throughout the country. The students who graduate from there and who progress to become teachers bring new and rich perspectives to the language back into our schools. Certainly, in my own ETB in Monaghan, we are seeing that reality happen, day in, day out, although that does not mean we do not have a shortage of teachers. It begins with the interest at post-primary level in terms of motivating people to want to progress. Many of us would traditionally have associated the Gaeltacht with being almost part of our rites of passage through post-primary education. Unfortunately, the expense and everything else means that is beyond many students. Anything that can be done should be done to encourage students to attend Gaeltacht courses. There is a lot more that could be done to motivate and to provide that opportunity for young people to experience the language in the Gaeltacht colleges, and we would certainly encourage that.

The University of Limerick is working on courses for teachers teaching other subjects with a view to them being able to take up that interest in teaching through Gaeilge and, indeed, to move them towards teaching the language as Gaeilge. That initiative is particularly important and the more widespread that can be, the better. There are many teachers out there who would have a real interest in engaging in teaching through Gaeilge or adding Gaeilge as a qualification, but it is a question of the pathways involved, and the Deputy described his own journey up and down to his course. Perhaps now, in the era of digital technology, it could be much easier for somebody to practise that.

There needs to be some sort of real building out of what is already happening and a proper review of what we can offer the current teaching profession to move towards Gaeilge, either to teach through Gaeilge or to teach the subject itself, although there are obviously different requirements depending on which way we go. It is okay to find a qualification but the proficiency and love of the language comes first. That is why I referenced initiatives that will encourage a deeper engagement and love of the language. We have such a huge resource in our Gaeltacht communities.