Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

It is not meaningful to compare the foreign language policy in primary schools in this country with that prevailing in Britain as the contexts in both jurisdictions are significantly different. In Ireland, there are two national languages, Irish and English, both of which are given recognition under the Constitution. It is the policy of my Department that both of these languages are taught at primary level.

At present, the NCCA is in the process of developing a new language curriculum for primary schools. This work will be mindful of the literacy and numeracy strategy which I published last year. The recently published report by Dr. Pádraig Ó Duibhir and Professor Jim Cummins on the development of an integrated language curriculum will help to inform this process. The report recommends moving towards a language curriculum where children are encouraged to transfer skills acquired in one language to other languages.

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