Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

On the last point, I believe I answered a parliamentary question tabled by the Deputy last week, which stated the number is four. If that is incorrect, I can come back to the Deputy. However, the inspectorate will not be at full capacity until the end of the year because of training etc.

During a whole school evaluation, one of the core subjects — Irish, English or mathematics — must always be included. In other words, every teacher of that subject in that school would be involved. Regarding other inspections, I am open to correction but I understand they try to take a pattern of subjects to allow them have an evaluation of the teaching of that subject across a wide range.

What the inspectors have done with regard to a number of subjects is publish a composite report. They have already done one on the teaching of modern languages. A composite report on the teaching of Irish at junior certificate level arising from inspections conducted in 75 schools in the past school year is being finalised, and that will be published in the autumn. The inspectors set out to decide what would be included as part of a subject evaluation and then draw lessons from that across the country.

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