Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 47: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will review her Department's entire approach to the teaching and examining of Irish in light of worrying reports on falling standards in both Gaeltacht and non-Gaeltacht areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27652/05]

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 430: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the actions she intends to take resulting from a recent report on Gaeltacht schools and the Irish language; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22746/05]

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 433: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she has received a copy of the recent study by An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta that states that Gaeltacht schools are facing a crisis and unless they get more support few of them will be teaching through Irish in 20 years' time; her plans to address the perilous state of Gaeltacht education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22577/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 47, 430 and 433 together.

I have received a copy of the report mentioned by the Deputies.

Since the raising of standards of Irish is a priority for my Department, matters relating to the teaching and assessment of the subject are reviewed on an ongoing basis. A range of measures have already been taken to improve the quality of learning in Irish.

For primary schools, a revised curriculum in Irish was launched in 1999, placing a strong emphasis on oral Irish and was introduced fully in all schools in 2003. To support its introduction all teachers have received in-service training which was delivered by the Primary Curriculum Support Service, PCSP, over a four year period. Teachers in schools where Irish is the medium of instruction participated in two day-long seminars and those in all other schools attended three such seminars. A total of 3,500 seminars were delivered and approximately 21,000 teachers participated. To complement this work, Regional Curriculum Support Service advisers — cuiditheoirí— who are based in local education centres are available to visit schools and advise on all aspects of the Irish curriculum. In addition, all primary teachers have engaged in school-based planning days specifically for Irish. A range of resources has been developed for use in teaching the revised Irish curriculum and prominent among these are the Séideán Sí materials which are now available for infant and first classes.

Regarding the post-primary curriculum, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, is currently carrying out a rebalancing of the junior certificate Irish syllabi. This will involve reviewing the content of the courses along with the learning outcomes expected of students. The process which will be completed in November 2005 will identify any further aspects of these syllabi that are in need of reform. A revised literature course for leaving certificate Irish was introduced in September 2004 for first examination in 2006. This has been widely welcomed as it allows literature to be taught using modern communicative approaches that appeal to young people and it affords a high level of choice to students and teachers. For example, it includes film, for the first time, as an option for students. The revised course is accompanied by comprehensive guidelines for teachers and the development of further materials in digital format to complement these guidelines is well advanced.

The inspectorate of my Department is actively involved in focused evaluations of the teaching and learning of Irish. At primary level, inspections with special emphasis on Irish have been conducted in 40 schools. At post-primary level, 10% of schools have undergone an evaluation of the teaching and learning of Irish in the junior cycle. In addition, my Department has invited the Council of Europe to carry out an analysis of the language education in Ireland. This process is currently under way and Irish is one of the main areas for consideration. Reports on each of these activities will be available in 2006 and their findings will inform further interventions to improve standards of Irish in our schools.

Significant improvements are being made in regard to the provision of suitable high quality textbooks and teaching materials specifically for use in Gaeltacht and other all-Irish schools through the work of the An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta. In 2005 my Department allocated to An Chomhairle €725,000, of which an additional €300,000 was specifically for the provision of textbooks and resources. I have also recently met An Chomhairle 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.

In addition, Marino Institute of Education now provides courses at different levels and an enhanced range of supports for those studying for the Scrúdú le hAghaidh Cailíochta sa Ghaeilge.