Gerard Murphy (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 40: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of junior certificate students who undertake an oral examination in Irish; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25792/06]

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 is 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. In 2005, some 339 candidates in 13 schools took the optional Oral examination in Irish.

The syllabus for Junior Certificate Irish focuses strongly on developing communicative skills. Oral work is critically important in improving students' competence and confidence in this regard and it should be a key component of day to day teaching of the language from the beginning of junior cycle.