Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 326: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the lack of textbooks in Irish for students attending all-Irish secondary schools; if she has plans to address the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15160/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Substantial progress has been made in the provision of textbooks and resources specifically for use in Gaeltacht and other all-Irish schools, particularly since Scéim na nDearthóirí was established in 2001, and An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta was set up in 2002. An Chomhairle was established to co-ordinate the provision of textbooks and aids to support Irish, to advise on policies relating to Irish in schools generally and in all-Irish and Gaeltacht schools, to provide support services through the medium of Irish and to undertake research in this area.

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 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. A complete list of Teaching Aids and Resources has also been sent to Gaeltacht schools and Gaelscoileanna. A full range of teaching resources (1 per subject) is now available for primary Gaeltacht and all-Irish schools. Some €1m per annum is being invested under the Scéim in a new set of materials for primary schools, known as Séideán Sí. The packs include a teacher's handbook, books, posters, picture cards, compact discs, puppets and card games and are currently available for all classes up to third class. This investment will continue until a complete set of resources for the 8 year cycle is available.

At post primary level there are resources available for Maths, History, Geography, Science, CSPE, Technical Graphics and French at junior cycle. At senior cycle textbooks are available for Maths, History and Home Economics. In 2007, my Department allocated an additional €300,000 to An Chomhairle for materials and resources development to support teaching and learning through the medium of Irish, bringing their budget in 2007 to €1.245 million. This level of funding has been maintained in 2008.