Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 113: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the way in which Irish music, dance and culture is catered for in the primary school curriculum; if same is being implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32771/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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There is a major emphasis in the primary school curriculum on our Irish culture, including music and dance. Pupils are encouraged to develop an awareness of Irish customs and traditions and to deepen their appreciation of the Irish identity. Throughout the curriculum and the accompanying guidelines, there are numerous examples and suggested learning experiences that draw on the Irish cultural environment and emphasise our heritage, games, music and dance.

The curriculum places value on our Irish culture in the context of growing diversity among the pupil population and the importance of respecting and celebrating the cultures of others. Language is a powerful medium through which pupils acquire an awareness of culture. The primary school curriculum is built on the right of all children, from the beginning of schooling, to experience language learning in both English and Irish. An appropriate experience of both languages has an important contribution to make to the development of the child's cultural awareness and sense of cultural identity. The Irish language is at the core of our heritage and the most obvious aspect of our Irish culture. One of the main aims of the Irish curriculum in the primary school is to develop cultural awareness. Learning the Irish language enables the child to connect with that culture, its literature, folklore and music. In the teaching of English, children are encouraged to read and respond to a wide range of literature and poetry, including the works of Irish authors.

The emphasis on Irish culture permeates other curriculum areas also. For example, in the visual arts, pupils are taught to look at and respond to Irish works and in history the child's learning about "myself and my family" might focus on feasts, festivals and lifestyles of the past. Among the objectives of the music curriculum is the development of an awareness and appreciation of song and traditional Irish instruments. The tin whistle is recommended as one of several suitable means by which pupils can achieve appropriate levels of mastery in the production of music. Dance is a strand of the physical education curriculum and one of its learning objectives include enabling children to perform dances with confidence and competence, including simple folk and Irish dances.

During the delivery of the in-service seminars for music in the 2004-05 school year, specific emphasis was placed on raising teachers' awareness of as many resources as possible for the teaching of Irish music. In addition, the Irish Recorded Music Association Trust presented a tin whistle to every teacher in the country. Dance is one of the three strands being presented to teachers during this year's in-service in physical education. Irish dance is a particular focus and teachers get opportunities to practise set dancing during the in-service seminars.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I am almost sorry I tabled the question because I can almost picture the Minister on her tin whistle as she flew along in that very rapid fire response.

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As I do in Irish dance.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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While her response sounded quite impressive, is she satisfied that this is being implemented? I ask the question in the context of having encountered young children in various parts of the country in recent years who appear not to have the wherewithal to sing an old traditional Irish song like Báidín Fheilimí or Poc ar Buile. It appears to be something we have encased away and emphasis is not being placed on it in primary schools as was the case heretofore. How will the Minister ensure this part of the curriculum is being implemented, because I am of the opinion that this is not being done? Will she agree that there may be merit in the concept of considering specialised teachers in this regard? One cannot expect every primary teacher to be an Enya or a Michael Flatley, but some teachers have an ability in this area. Will she consider providing specialised teachers who would service several schools, instead of expecting teachers to be Jack of all trades, which many of them are not?

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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It has been a great pleasure for me over the past year or so to visit more than 200 schools. I am usually impressed by the emphasis being put on dance, singing and the Irish language. While one will get the Mamas and the Papas, and other such songs, in perfect harmony, one will also get the traditional Irish songs. I witnessed wonderful Irish dancing in Monaghan without the wigs and glittery costumes. I have also seen a great seisiún in Wexford. Tin whistles and the recorder are very popular. Obviously the culture and the environment of the community play a huge part. If traditional music is strong in a particular area, it permeates into the school. I opened a school extension in Glenamaddy recently where one of the traditional singers from the town taught the songs of Glenamaddy. That is useful interaction.

I do not agree with the idea of having specialist teachers who come in just to teach music because it is a central part of the training of the primary school teacher. The emphasis and basis of training primary school teachers is that they are multidisciplinary. However, one will find that teachers co-operate with each other and may, perhaps, bring the two first classes together. One who is good at sport will take one group and another who is good at music will take the other.

I appreciate where the Deputy is coming from. In some areas, because of multiculturalism in our schools, the amount of time spent on Irish culture may be diluted to compensate for the broadening of other cultures. In its own way that can be positive because it can ensure that the Irish student looking at his or her Irish culture will appreciate it even more.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Minister correctly mentioned that some areas that do not have a tradition of Irish music, dance and so on may not have it in the schools. Does the Department have any indication or mapping of these areas? Traditionally, there are areas where it is not strong and it is not taught in the schools.

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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We would not have mapping of the areas involved. That is obviously a wider cultural issue for the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism. One may not think that my constituency of Dún Laoghaire, formerly Kingstown, would be a hotbed of great Irish culture, yet Comhaltas CeoltóiríÉireann has its headquarters there and hundreds of children attend every week for traditional music. Also the first gaelscoil was set up there. It is difficult to identify an area where a particular culture may be strong or otherwise. I know everybody puts on a good show when the Minister turns up but it certainly shows a talent among the teachers who encourage the children.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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On the issue of Irish music and dance in primary and secondary schools, there is already a huge resource within some schools which are examples of good practice. Deputy Timmins' question is relevant because there are some schools that may not necessarily have the same examples of good practice in respect of Irish music, dance and all other aspects of the arts. Perhaps the Minister would use the resource of schools that already have an excellent programme running to assist those schools that may not necessarily have such a programme. In some of the poorer schools in the city there are great examples of Irish dance and dance from different nationalities and respect for cultural diversity. There are some creative teachers who implement these policies in schools.

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I agree with the Deputy. It has no bearing on the position of the school or the socioeconomic breakdown of the school as to what type of culture is taught or the involvement of the children. However, much depends on the interest of the teacher. That is the reason the summer programmes, the summer schools and literacy through the arts are hugely important for encouraging the teacher to pass on the skills.