Gerard Murphy (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 562: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the role her Department and An Comhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta have in promoting the Irish language within the education system in the Gaeltacht and beyond in view of the findings of the Harris Report. [33247/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Improving students' competences in spoken and written Irish is a major policy priority of my Department and a range of measures have been taken in this regard, with plans for further actions to take effect in the near future.

The role of the Chomhairle is to provide policy advice, undertake research, provide support services, and plan and co-ordinate the provision of textbooks and teaching resources in relation to the teaching of Irish and through Irish in schools generally and particularly in Gaeltacht and all-Irish schools.

At primary level, a revised curriculum in Irish has been implemented in all schools since September 2003. A communicative, task-based approach to language learning is at the heart of this curriculum which places emphasis on enjoyment and on using the language in activities such as games, conversations and drama.

Its implementation has been supported by a national programme of 3500 in-service training seminars for 21000 primary teachers. At post primary level, the Second Level Support Service provides a series of modular programmes for teachers in Irish through the education centre network. Additional personnel are being appointed at present to support and expand in-career development for teachers in Irish in our schools at both primary and second level.

I have arranged that part of the drama in-service training planned for primary teachers in the current academic year will be 'Drámaíocht trí Ghaeilge'. This will assist teachers enormously in making the learning of Irish fun for children.

For Leaving Certificate Irish, a revised literature course was introduced in September 2004 which was examined for the first time in June of this year. This has been widely welcomed as it allows literature to be taught using modern communicative approaches that appeal to young people and it affords a high level of choice to students and teachers. For example, film is now an option for the first time. A comprehensive set of guidelines to support teachers in delivering the revised course has been issued.

Substantial progress has been made in the provision of textbooks and resources to support Irish in schools, particularly since Scéim na nDearthóirí was established in 2001 and An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta was set up in 2002. Some €3m. has been invested under the Scéim over the period 2003-2005 in a new set of materials for schools, known as Séideán Sí for infant, senior infant and first class pupils. Materials for second class pupils will be available shortly. This investment will continue until a complete set of resources for the eight year primary cycle is available.

An Chomhairle works closely with An Gúm, Scéim na nDearthóirí and other agencies to address the deficit in Irish medium resources and materials. It has published an extensive resource directory, running to 83 pages, on the website www.cogg.ie on materials and resources now available to support the teaching of Irish in the curriculum, and the teaching of other subjects through Irish, across primary and post primary schools.

In regard to entry to primary teacher training, a minimum of Grade C at higher level in Irish continues to be a requirement. These students also undertake a summer programme the Gaeltacht as part of their training. In regard to the Scrúdú le hAghaidh Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge which must be passed by primary teachers who trained abroad within 5 years of starting to teach in Ireland, a range of improvements have been made to the management and administration of the examinations, in addition to the development of a handbook and provision of courses for participants. This has greatly increased the success rate in the examination. A range of higher education programmes through Irish are being offered by NUI Galway and Dublin City University, and to a lesser extent by other third level colleges.

Finally, my Department and the Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs provide grant schemes to support the provision of summer courses in the Gaeltacht for some 25,000 young people each year, enabling them to immerse themselves in Irish language and culture.

I have asked the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, the statutory body which advises on curriculum, to make proposals to me as soon as possible on how the syllabuses in Irish at post-primary level should be reformed and, in particular, how greater emphasis can be placed on oral competence in the language. I am determined to ensure that Irish is taught in our schools in a way that is interesting and relevant and will promote a positive attitude to the language among our young people.