Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 217: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when all textbooks relevant to the revised primary curriculum in primary schools will be available in the Irish language for the use of all Gaeltacht schools and Gaelscoileanna; and if she will give an undertaking that in future all companies will be required to publish textbooks simultaneously in both national languages. [22044/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Apart from a small number of prescribed texts at post-primary level, mainly in the case of language subjects, decisions on which textbooks/resource materials to use in primary and post-primary schools are taken at school level.

Significant improvements are being made in regard to the provision of suitable high quality textbooks and teaching materials specifically for use in Gaeltacht schools and Gaelscoileanna through the work of an Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta. In 2006, my Department allocated €831,000 to An Chomhairle of which €400,000 was specifically designated for the provision of textbooks and other resources to support teaching and learning.

My Department also provided funding to An Chomhairle in 2006 for the acquisition by An Chomhairle of a Mobile Library to bring the full range of resources for teaching through Irish to all Gaeltacht and all-Irish schools. A full range of teaching resources (1 per subject) is now available for primary Gaeltacht and all-Irish schools.

In addition some €1m per annum is being invested under Scéim na nDearthóiri in a new set of materials for Gaeilge in Gaeltacht and Gaelscoileanna known as Séideán Sí for infant, senior infant, first class, second class and third class pupils. The packs include a teacher's handbook, books, posters, picture cards, compact discs, puppets and card games. This investment will continue until a complete set of resources for the 8 year cycle is available.

An Chomhairle works closely with An Gúm, Scéim na nDearthóirí and other agencies, including publishers, to address the deficit in Irish medium resources and materials. It has published an extensive resource directory on its 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.