Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 488: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the measures he will implement in regard to the findings of the report, The Irish Language and The Irish People; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16808/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am aware of the report which was launched in recent days. Its recommendations will be considered in the context of the promotion of a co-ordinated approach to supporting Irish in the education sector and in wider society, working in collaboration with the Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and other agencies. A Cabinet Committee has been established to ensure that a high priority is given to strengthening competence and use of Irish in society generally, both within and outside of the Gaeltacht. The report indicates that the use of Irish is now at its highest point in 150 years.

The range of measures in place in the education sector to promote Irish include the following: Irish as an essential subject to completion of upper second level education for all students except those with an exemption; additional supports for the establishment of Gaelscoileanna; additional allowances to teachers for teaching through Irish and in the Gaeltacht; curriculum support services to provide training for teachers at primary and second level; the work of An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta and Scéim na nDearthóirí in providing Irish medium resources for schools, investing almost €2m p.a. in this area; the increase in marks for oral assessment in the certificate examinations to 40% to promote a strong emphasis on oral competence in teaching and learning; a three-week Gaeltacht placement for trainee primary teachers; a scholarship scheme to enable disadvantaged second level students to attend Irish colleges in the Gaeltacht; summer camps in Irish for disadvantaged primary students; continued monitoring of standards in Irish in our schools through the Inspectorate and through externally commissioned research; investment in programmes in Irish in higher education, particularly through Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, NUI Galway, Fiontar in Dublin City University, and NUI Cork.

These actions are designed to strengthen oral competence in Irish in our schools, to ensure that Irish is taught in a way that is interesting and relevant and will promote a positive attitude to the language among our young people.