Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 542: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the suitable exam courses which are being run in Dublin at the moment in respect of An Scrúdú le hAghaidh Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that previously Coláiste Mhuire, Marino has run courses; if additional courses will be put in place for candidates wishing to sit this exam; or failing that, if candidates will be given an extra six to eight weeks study time in which to prepare for the exam. [33894/05]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 543: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the high level of expenses incurred by many students who wish to sit An Scrúdú le hAghaidh Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that a candidate for the exam has incurred expenses (details supplied) in order to learn Irish and further examination fees for the actual course, if available, and related examination fees; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that the estimated cost for such a student is in the region of €1,650; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33895/05]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 544: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her proposals to alleviate the financial hardships suffered by students entering for An Scrúdú le hAghaidh Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the cost of learning Irish for primary school-teachers who have completed their teacher-training course outside the State can be very significant; her plans to assist students in that position; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33896/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 542 to 544, inclusive, together.

Arrangements have been put in place enabling teachers qualified outside the State to be granted recognition to teach in primary schools, provided that their qualifications meet the requirements set by my Department. Two forms of recognition are granted to those teachers: provisional recognition to commence teaching in mainstream primary schools; or restricted recognition to teach only in special schools or classes where Irish is not a curricular requirement. Holders of provisional recognition have five years in which they must pass an examination in the Irish language referred to as An Scrúdú le hAghaidh Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge, SCG, which qualifies them with full recognition to teach in a primary school. As an exceptional measure, that five-year period has been extended to seven years for those candidates who held provisional recognition prior to April 2004. If candidates do not pass the SCG examination within the specified period, they lose their provisional recognition.

The SCG examination consists of four elements: two written papers and an aural and oral examination. In addition, candidates must provide certification that they have attended an approved Gaeltacht course for a specific period: three-week; or its aggregated equivalent, either in one-week blocks or in a combination of one-week and two-week blocks.

Regarding course provision, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that several education centres throughout the country, which are directly funded by my Department, are providing preparation courses for the SCG examination at a reasonable cost that has been set by my Department. Regarding the availability of courses in the Dublin area, I understand that Blackrock Education Centre and Drumcondra Education Centre are delivering such courses for the 2005-06 year. Those courses are based on a training programme, also funded by my Department, which was developed by the Irish department in Coláiste Mhuire, Marino. The courses have been very successful, with 400 of the 520 candidates who sat the examination in March 2005 passing — the best outcome to date.

I understand that there are also other providers of courses for the SCG which charge rates to students different from those which apply in the courses run through education centres. As those providers include privately owned Institutions and individuals, I do not have any role regarding those courses or their related fees.

Regarding the cost incurred by candidates who attend the Gaeltacht in accordance with the SCG requirements, my Department refunds a proportion of the fees incurred by candidates. Established in May 2000, these arrangements apply to candidates who have successfully completed the SCG and provided certification of their residence in the Gaeltacht while attending an approved Gaeltacht course. That refund is equivalent to the subsidy payable to the colleges of education students for analogous courses. At present, the subsidy is €431.71 per candidate. I do not intend to increase that subsidy for the coming year.

In light of the refund available for the Gaeltacht course and the provision of funding for the education centre-based tuition, there are no additional supports available to students for any other costs incurred in preparing for the SCG examination. It should be noted, however, that once a teacher has been granted full recognition to teach in a primary school, he or she can progress along the teacher pay scales with a consequential increase in salary.

Finally, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that a repeat examination for those students who did not achieve a pass mark at last Easter's sitting will be held on 26 November 2005 and 3 December 2005. That is being organised by the Irish department in Coláiste Mhuire, Marino. I understand that all candidates concerned have been notified.