Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 597: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will review the requirements for the Scrúdú le hAghaidh Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a date has not been set for the examination which makes it very difficult for students to prepare for the examination; if there is a named person in her Department dedicated to dealing with queries on this matter; the areas in which past examination papers and tapes can be accessed; if she is satisfied that the guidance and support from her Department are adequate to assist a person preparing for the examination; if specific classes can be accessed by persons taking this examination; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5703/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Teachers trained outside the jurisdiction of the State whose qualifications have been assessed and accepted by my Department but who do not possess an appropriate Irish language qualification are granted a five year period of provisional recognition to teach in mainstream classes in national schools. During this period these teachers are expected to obtain their Irish language qualification, Scrúdú le hAghaidh Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge, SCG, in order to become fully recognised. They must also provide certification that they have resided in the Gaeltacht while attending an approved three-week course or its aggregated equivalent.

Up to 2004, my Department was responsible for administering the SCG examination. The 2005 SCG was administered by Coláiste Mhuire Marino. In December 2005 my Department sought tenders for the future administration of the examination. The tendering process has now been completed and arrangements for the future administration of the examination will be announced shortly. Examination papers and tapes in respect of the 2005 SCG examination may be obtained from Coláiste Mhuire Marino and, for examinations prior to 2005, from Primary Administration Section 1, Department of Education and Science, Cornamaddy, Athlone, County Westmeath. The papers may also be accessed on my Department's website.

Regarding course provision, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that a number of education centres throughout the country which are directly funded by my Department provide preparation courses for the SCG examination at a reasonable cost. These courses are based upon a training programme, also funded by my Department, developed by the Irish department in Coláiste Mhuire Marino. The courses have been extremely successful with 400 of the 520 candidates who sat the examination in March 2005 passing, the best outcome to date. I understand there are also other providers of courses for the SCG which charge rates to students different from those which apply to the courses run through education centres. My Department does not have any role in these courses or the fees being charged in respect of them.