Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 215: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing issues in a school (details supplied) in County Kerry regarding the teaching of subjects through the medium of Irish only; the implications of this policy into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18785/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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My predecessor and officials of my Department met with the Trustees of the school and discussed with them the language policy of the school. I understand that the Trustees have engaged in discussions with the school's Board of Management on the issue. The Board of Management recently contacted my Department advising that they had appointed a person to review how the school facilitates pupils with either a little or no Irish. My Department has welcomes this development and has expressed its willingness to establish a specific liaison mechanism between it and the Board through which any issues that may arise could be considered. My Department has also offered to provide any expert advice to the Board that may assist the review being carried out in the school. The Inspectorate of my Department have offered, if the Board would find it helpful in the circumstances, to have a number of subject inspections conducted to help establish how the school's policies are impacting on the quality of learning at classroom level.