Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 202: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if a school (details supplied) is still the central co-ordinating and managing authority for the Scrúdú le hAghaidh Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge; if not, the areas in which this information is available to teachers trained outside Ireland who wish to pursue the course; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9658/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Coláiste Mhuire Marino is responsible for holding the SCG examination in 2006. The examination will be held in a number of centres throughout the country in the week beginning 17 April. Full details are available from Coláiste Mhuire. 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, are providing preparation courses for the SCG examination at a reasonable cost that has been set by my Department. These courses are based upon a training programme, also funded by my Department, which was developed by the Irish department in Coláiste Mhuire Marino.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 203: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her views on replacing the Scrúdú le hAghaidh Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge with an examination and syllabus more in tune with changes that have taken place in teaching and learning in recent years and with more emphasis on the spoken language; if she will also ensure that preparation courses for the examination are more accessible to students in different parts of the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9659/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As recently as 2001, I established a working group to review all aspects of the syllabus and examination for the Scrúdú le hAghaidh Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge (SCG). The review group drafted an interim examination syllabus which was circulated to all schools in December 2002. The SCG examinations held in October 2003 were the first series of SCG examinations to be based on this revised syllabus.

A language syllabus and an examination handbook with sample questions and answers were published during 2004. The literature textbook containing the revised literature syllabus for 2007 onwards was published in January 2006. From April 2004, more time was made available for candidates in the aural test. A new literature syllabus will be introduced for the examination in 2007. In addition, it is intended that, from 2007 onwards, the written examination will be complemented by assessments of classroom practice. The oral and aural modules which comprise 50% of the total examination place a sufficient overall emphasis on the oralcy element of the SCG.

Passes in the examination are recognised at two levels. The overall pass mark in the examination with effect from the April 2004 examinations was decreased to 40% from the previous 50%. With effect from the April 2004 examinations, candidates who achieved pass — 40% — are eligible to teach in Galltacht — English medium — schools. Teachers who achieve 70% or more are eligible to teach in any primary school, including Gaeltacht and all-Irish schools.

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, are providing preparation courses for the SCG examination at a reasonable cost that has been set by my Department. These courses are based on a training programme, also funded by my Department, which was developed by the Irish department in Coláiste Mhuire Marino.