Written answers

Thursday, 23 February 2006

Department of Education and Science

Irish Language

4:00 pm

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 161: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the procedures and regulations which underpin the current elections of parents, teachers and patrons' representatives to the new board of An Chomhairle Oideachais Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta; if they have been approved and by whom; if they can be publicly obtained; and the locations where they are available. [7604/06]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The council of an chomhairle is composed of a chairperson and 22 members drawn from representative bodies involved in Irish language education. Membership of the council was agreed in 2001 following consultations with relevant representative groups, including gaelscoileanna, Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta and Comhdáil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge.

The council is composed of: one chairperson nominated by the Minister; three nominees of Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta; three nominees of gaelscoileanna; two nominees of teachers — one each from a Gaeltacht school and a gaelscoil; two nominees of parents — one each from a Gaeltacht school and a gaelscoil; two nominees of school management — one each from a Gaeltacht school and a gaelscoil; four nominees of teacher unions — two each from primary and post-primary school; two nominees of the Minister; one nominee of Foras na Gaeilge; one nominee of Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge; and two members co-opted by an chomhairle, such members to have a particular knowledge of and expertise in the study and research of the Irish language.

With regard to the nominations of teachers, parents and school management, it was agreed with my Department that the nominations would be a matter for gaelscoileanna and Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta, subject to the proviso that the elected persons would be members of a board of management of a gaelscoil or Gaeltacht school.

The first four-year term of office of the chomhairle is due to end on 11 March 2006. It was agreed at the autumn 2005 meeting of the chomhairle, at the request of two organisations, that the nominations for future elections in regard to the parent, teacher and management representatives of Gaeltacht schools and gaelscoileanna would be organised directly by the chomhairle. A document outlining a five-stage process was approved at the board meeting of 24 November 2005 and is accessible at www.cogg.ie.

These rules were prepared by a sub-committee and later approved by the board of the chomhairle but, as the election progressed, it emerged they were not sufficiently detailed to deal with a number of issues which subsequently arose. Given that there has not been sufficient time for these specific issues to be discussed and agreed in advance of the election, I have agreed to extend the term of office of the current board for a further period as an exceptional matter. This will allow time for the chomhairle to engage in detailed discussions with the relevant interests to allow for the election procedures to be specified in greater detail and agreed with the parties concerned.

Photo of Brian O'SheaBrian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 162: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the main findings of the study involving the Institiúid Teangeolaíochta and the Educational Research Unit in Drumcondra Dublin into the standard of Irish in primary school; if she intends to publish the study in full; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7605/06]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy refers to the report, Irish in Primary Schools: National Trends in Achievement (1985-2002) by Dr. John Harris. Arrangements for the publication of the report by my Department are ongoing since the receipt of the final report at the latter end of 2005. The Deputy will understand that I cannot comment on a report that is not yet published. I expect to be in a position to outline the timescale for publication shortly.

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 163: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of students both primary and post-primary who are exempted from studying Irish by her Department currently; if she will provide similar figures for the past five years; and the reasons for same. [7628/06]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Details of the number of exemptions from Irish granted at primary level are not readily available in the format requested by the Deputy. In the period October 1998 to December 2005 the number of exemptions granted from the study of Irish at primary level was 10,117. Of these, 83% were granted to pupils who had assessed learning difficulties. Some 9% were granted to pupils on the basis that their primary education up to 11 years of age was received in Northern Ireland or outside Ireland and 8% were granted on the basis that they were pupils from abroad who had no understanding of English when enrolled and who would be required to study one language only, Irish or English.

In the school year 2004-05 there were 19,327 post-primary students with an exemption from the study of Irish. The total number of new exemptions granted at post-primary level in each of the last five years is as follows: year 2000-01- 4,332; year 2001-02 — 4,451; year 2002-03 — 5,296; year 2003-04 — 6,550; and year 2004-05 — 6,588. Virtually all of the exemptions in this period are attributable to the two categories of assessed learning difficulty or students from abroad without English proficiency.

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