Ms Jean O'Mahony:

I think the Department would absolutely agree that third level has a very significant role to play in respect of meeting the wider objectives with respect to the Irish language but also Government objectives with respect to employment in the public sector, as Deputy Ó Muirí set out. I absolutely agree with him. The Department would also agree that the numbers currently studying through the medium of Irish and graduating with level 8 or level 9 qualifications, either achieved through the medium of Irish or partly through the medium of Irish, are low. The numbers are very low relative to the ambitious objectives set out by the Government in its policy. We need to make the point that third level is one part of it. It is an important part of it that we are here talking about, but there is obviously a wider piece to it. As I mentioned, with respect to both policies that are being brought forward at primary and post-primary level and with respect to the Irish language in the public sector, there is a role for third level provision in that, while respecting the academic independence of the institutions.

I take the point of the committee that the Government has certain levers at its disposal to support and encourage further third level institutions in certain directions. The special provision for the Irish language and for Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge is part of that, but any future policy with respect to setting a target or increasing the number of courses available through the medium of Irish would be done, I can only posit, in co-operation with the sector. Academic independence is not something that we just pay lip service to; it is a core principle of our third level sector and our system. Any future policy would need to be done clearly in full co-operation with the sector. I am sure that if they were before this committee they would have a lot to say about it.