Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 341: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to Question No. 452 of 29 November 2005, the reason she has not promoted the taking of the oral Irish examination as part of the junior certificate examination; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7329/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The assessment of Irish for the junior certificate includes provision for an optional oral examination which may be conducted by the class teacher in accordance with guidelines issued by the State Examinations Commission. The decision on whether or not to avail of this option is taken at school level. The syllabus for junior certificate Irish places strong emphasis on developing communicative skills and I believe that oral work is critically important in developing students' competence and confidence in this regard.