Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 86: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her Department is planning to place more emphasis on the speaking of Irish in the curriculum and examination system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39668/05]

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 92: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her views on whether proposals for the significant amendment of the Irish curriculum at both junior and leaving certificate level should be brought forward; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39538/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 92 together.

A number of activities are currently under way that will inform any review of Irish in the curriculum and examination system. The inspectorate of my Department has carried out an evaluation of the teaching and learning of Irish in the junior cycle in 10% of schools and a report on the findings will be published in 2006. In addition, my Department has invited the Council of Europe to carry out an analysis of language education in Ireland.

Irish is one of the specific areas for consideration in this process and a report is expected in 2006. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, is also carrying out a review of languages in the post-primary curriculum and this includes a focus on Irish. I am anxious to have more emphasis placed on oral Irish and I have already asked the NCCA to make recommendations to me in this regard as one of its next steps in developing its proposals for senior cycle reform.