Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis na cainteoirí ó Chonradh na Gaeilge, Gaeloideachas agus Tuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta. Is teanga álainn í an Ghaeilge. Tá Fraincis agus Spáinnis agam ach níl mé chomh líofa as Gaeilge. Is as Béal Átha na Sluaighe mé agus nuair a bhí mé óg ní raibh a lán roghanna ó thaobh Gaelscoileanna sa bhaile sin, ach tá Gaelscoil ann anois agus tá Gaelscoil i Ros Comáin freisin. Tá sé an-tábhachtach agus tá tacaíocht ann don Ghaeilge mar ábhar sa leaving certificate. Tá cúpla ceist agam, as Béarla if that is okay, leis na freagraí as Gaeilge.

Tá cumas sa teanga agus cumarsáid an-tábhachtach. Language and communication skills were mentioned as being extremely important and reference was made to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, the CEFR. How do we ensure students doing the leaving certificate have that capability to speak fluently? I say this because I studied French and Irish at leaving certificate, with French at pass level, and I went on and studied it at degree level in Galway. I was very fortunate to be able to go on Erasmus and spend a year abroad when I was young. I did not have the chance to get to the Gaeltacht, unfortunately, despite being from Galway. How do we ensure our children and students are left with that capability? It is very difficult to become fluent. I only know this from French. I am doing the Gaeilge classes here in the Oireachtas so I hope I increase my level of fluency as Gaeilge as well. It is nearly like having a bath. It took six months when I was abroad before I had the ear and was able to speak. How can we improve that to reach the CEFR so our students can leave school with the ear as Gaeilge? Perhaps this happens more now that we have Gaelscoileanna at primary and secondary level but how do we do it for other schools as well? How do we make sure all our schools are able to provide that?

I liked the idea of the subject on saíocht agus litríocht na Gaeilge that Ms Uí Uiginn mentioned, which would teach Irish culture, heritage and literature. It is absolutely great and wonderful. I am guessing it would be trí Ghaeilge. This particular subject would be of immense interest, particularly to a lot of our newer students. I am referring to people who have arrived from abroad and settled in Ireland and are now coming into our schools. I am sure Ms Uí Uiginn is seeing more and more first generation Irish at primary and secondary level. Would this also be available to them? Would it only be trí Ghaeilge? I am just curious. I am just putting it out there because it is something that would be of immense interest to so many.