Pauline Tully (Sinn Fein)
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I thank the witnesses for attending and for their presentation. Some of my questions follow on from Deputy Ní Raghallaigh. With regard to language, it seems there is a move away from concentration on the oral exams. Language is spoken. That is what we should be concentrating on, especially for children with dyslexia, who have difficulty with reading and grammar. As Sive said in the earlier session, she attended a Gaelscoil, loved Irish and was able to speak Irish. However, she struggled when she went to secondary school because she did not get the supports in the subject to learn grammar. We need to see more concentration on spoken Irish and less on giving everybody an exemption. We need a different focus or a different way of teaching the language.

There was a 2009 recommendation for more time. It is now 2025 but it still has not happened. It is something that is done internationally. Ms Feeney said that a review is under way and that it was announced in 2024. However, I understand it only started this summer.