Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach's office for choosing this matter for debate. I submitted it before the Easter break because it had emerged at that time.

I welcome the Minister of State. As he is aware, a suggested draft primary school curriculum framework with subject teaching times was published by the Minister for Education in early March. This has caused some concern among some in my community, Gaeltacht communities and those within the Irish language community. There is significant concern over the reduction in the status of the teaching and learning of Irish in primary schools, according to Ms Bláthnaid Ní Ghréacháin, the CEO of Gaeloideachas.Teaching time for Irish is to be reduced by 30 minutes per week in English-medium schools, and although the draft framework maintains it is at the teacher's discretion to add additional time as part of the flexible time on the curriculum, we all know this is hugely dependent on the teacher's ability, confidence and attitude towards Irish. The research shows that, as we all know, Irish is not a preferred subject of primary school teachers in English-speaking schools. There are some who would like an even greater reduction and some who possibly would like to get rid of it altogether, whereas Irish is among the favourite subjects of students in Irish-speaking schools, which confirms there is a positive link between the contact time spent with the language and positive attitudes towards it. While changes to the curriculum promote a third language at primary level, why did the Department of Education decide to reduce the time allocated to teaching Irish? Surely, it could have maintained, at the very least, the three and a half hours per week, perhaps reducing the flexible time schools have, rather than targeting Irish. The 20-year strategy has been supported and has been the foundation stone of Government policy regarding the Irish language for more than a decade. I believe the suggested policy change goes totally against the 20-year strategy.

Tugadh isteach an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge le tacaíocht traspháirtí i mí na Nollaig 2010. Is é príomhchuspóir na straitéise ná go mbeidh sé polasaí ag an Rialtas i leith na Gaeilge chun úsáid agus eolas maidir leis an nGaeilge mar theanga phobail a mhéadú ar bhonn incriminteach. Go sonrach, is é aidhm an Rialtais é ná a chinntiú go bhfuil an oiread saoránach agus is féidir dátheangach, i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla araon. Is é an t-oideachas an chéad cheann de naoi réimse gnímh sa straitéis a chlúdaíonn oideachas laistigh agus lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht. Is é fírinne an scéil nach bhfuil an curaclam bunscoile nua atá beartaithe ag teacht leis an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge. Ní féidir le Rialtas polasaí nua a thabhairt isteach a thagann salach ar pholasaí eile atá ann cheana féin. Bhí mé i m’Aire Stáit nuair a tugadh isteach an chéad straitéis oideachais Ghaeltachta agus an scéim aitheantais do scoileanna Gaeltachta. Mhéadaigh mé an maoiniú do mhná tí, do chláir ar nós teanga tí chun tacú le teaghlaigh ar fud na tíre a raibh an Ghaeilge mar theanga an tí, agus cláir eile ar nós leo siúd, ó Chonradh na Gaeilge. Tá an cinneadh gur chóir laghdú ar theagasc na Gaeilge mícheart agus níor cheart dul ar aghaidh leis.

The basis of this Commencement matter is that the Department has introduced a policy decision regarding the Irish language within the education system that goes totally against the 20-year strategy for the Irish language. It would be a retrograde step and there are other ways to ensure the time spent on Irish is maintained, notwithstanding the flexibility teachers are being given to make up lost time. I think that is based, as others commented, on teachers' ability and interest in the language.