Dr. Noreen Fiorentini:

In response to Senator Flynn, the Department has issued a circular to schools about the appropriate use of reduced school days. As an inspector, in my role when I visit schools and I encounter children on reduced school days, I certainly query it. I certainly ask a lot of questions. I ensure they have followed the steps that are clearly laid out in the guidance. If they have not, I have to report that to the Department and to Tusla. Every child has a right to be in school and that is the viewpoint of the inspector when he or she visits the classroom. It is an issue, however, and I take it up.

I will say one more thing about the Irish. Over my 40 years in education, where I have seen Irish taught best and used best in schools is not particularly where Irish is just a subject on the curriculum but where it is a way of life, it is a living language and there is genuine use of Irish throughout the day. Schools embrace all kinds of competitions, Seachtain na Gaeilge, Coicís na Gaeilge, etc. The new primary curriculum framework allows schools to use time in a flexible way and there is an allocation of flexible time there which schools can use to promote our national language. Inspectors, under the Education Act, have a really important role in monitoring Irish in schools. We certainly have a special place in our hearts with regard to our teanga dúchais and will be watching this space carefully going forward as well. It is lovely to hear that Senator Flynn's daughter is having such a beautiful experience with Gaeilge ar scoil.