Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 267: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her proposals to expand second level education through Irish; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16575/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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It is my policy to support the provision of all-Irish school facilities at primary and second level in areas outside the Gaeltacht regions, where a demand for such provision is demonstrated and where no alternative exists within a reasonable distance.

There are currently 120 recognised gaelscoileanna operating within the State. There are in excess of 50 schools providing varying degrees of education through Irish at second level and my Department is currently examining applications for the development of such facilities in other locations.

The valuable contribution to the Irish language being made by many other schools is recognised and appreciated as an important resource in the promotion of Irish as a living language and as a medium of instruction.

In line with the provisions of the Education Act 1998, a new statutory body, An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta has been established to promote education through Irish as well as the teaching and learning of Irish. The new body is undertaking a range of advisory and support functions with regard to Irish language education. These functions include the planning and co-ordination of textbooks and learning aids and the development of policies to facilitate the provision of education through Irish in Gaeltacht schools as well as in recognised schools generally.

The commission on school accommodation recently published a report entitled Criteria and Procedures for Establishing and Maintaining Provision through the medium of Irish in second level schools or clusters of schools. This report presents a framework of key issues and makes a number of recommendations on the provision of second level education through the medium of Irish. It is currently being examined in my Department in the context of establishing a revised process for the recognition of all-Irish second level schools.