Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 244: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the action she proposes to take in respect of the teaching of Irish in the Gaeltacht in view of the recent COGG report relating to the position of Irish in Gaeltacht schools, and also in view of the apparent dramatic drop in standards; if she will furnish any information available regarding the standard of Irish in other schools throughout the country. [21833/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The recent report of the Irish language commissioner highlighted the fact that despite appreciable time devoted to Irish in the school system, many students emerge from primary and post-primary education without achieving a reasonable command of the language. Particular concerns were raised about students' command of the spoken language. The report by An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta raised similar concerns about the level of Irish being used in Gaeltacht schools.

While I accept that the standard of oral Irish in particular of many of our young people is not as it should be, it is important to note that significant efforts have been made by my Department in recent years to improve standards in the teaching and learning of Irish in our schools. The revised Irish language programme at primary level places a strong emphasis on oral Irish. This programme, implemented in all schools since September 2003 and supported by extensive in-service training by the primary curriculum support programme, should bring significant improvement to the standard of spoken Irish over time. This development at primary level complemented similar curricular changes at second level where syllabus reform is ongoing.

Significant improvements are being made in regard to the provision of materials and resources for the teaching of Irish. An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta has been established to advance this area and to provide support services for schools. Funding has been provided to An Chomhairle to support this task and I know that this is an area that will need further work. Marino Institute of Education now provides Irish courses at different levels for teachers and an enhanced range of supports for those studying for the Scrúdú le hAghaidh Cailíochta sa Ghaeilge has been put in place.

At the request of my Department, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, is carrying out a review of languages in the post-primary curriculum, which will include Irish. My Department has invited the Council of Europe to carry out an analysis of language practice at primary and post-primary levels. The position of Irish will be a particular consideration during this analysis. A team of international experts will complement the NCCA's review. The Council of Europe's report will be due in 2006.

The inspectorate of my Department, on foot of a major review of Irish language policies carried out in the Department last year, has recently prepared an internal report for policy discussion regarding areas where further improvements could be made. The Coimisinéir Teanga, along with other interest groups, contributed to that process. The inspectorate is currently preparing a composite report on the teaching and learning of Irish in the junior cycle in post-primary schools. This report will be based on evaluations that were carried out in 75, just over 10%, of post-primary schools during 2004-05. It will provide evidence-based findings on strengths and weaknesses and will contain recommendations for improvement to support schools, teachers and the system in general. I have also recently met with An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta to discuss further improvements that could be made to support schools in improving the teaching and learning of Irish and to promote high quality education through the medium of Irish.

It is important to note that the issue of promoting the Irish language is not one that can be advanced by schools alone. Societal attitudes to the Irish language certainly impact on students' desire to learn it. This Government has demonstrated a clear commitment to promoting our national language. It is hoped that the continuing initiatives in education along with the increased emphasis on the use of Irish in the Official Languages Act 2003 will create in time a positive climate whereby students will realise the value of learning our native language. As a consequence, language competence will prosper.