Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 432: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary and post-primary schools in Gaeltacht areas; the number of these that continue to teach purely through Irish; the number of these Gaeltacht schools that have had to switch to teaching through the medium of English in recent years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22579/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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There are 139 primary schools and 30 post-primary schools in Gaeltacht areas. According to returns in respect of the 2004-05 school year submitted to my Department, 106 of the primary schools taught all classes through the medium of Irish.

Since the year 2000-01, five primary schools have changed from having all classes taught through the medium of Irish — one having some classes taught through the medium of Irish while four have some subjects in each class in the school taught through the medium of Irish.

The information in relation to the post-primary schools is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta, which was set up under the terms of the Education Act 1998, is currently studying the conclusions and recommendations of a report commissioned by it on Gaeltacht education. An chomhairle will then report to me and make recommendations as to how best my Department can support and develop Irish medium education in Gaeltacht schools.