James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 595: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether the proposed cutbacks to Irish language provisions would be in line with the policy of the State since 1922, regarding the maintenance and promotion of the Irish language in the Gaeltacht and throughout the country, or would in fact amount to a discontinuance of it and contrary to the national spatial strategy in terms of areas of cultural importance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36832/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Planned expenditure levels for my Department will be considered as part of the Estimates and budgetary process for 2010. This will include consideration of the report of the special group on public service numbers and expenditure programmes, and the decisions on all of the issues arising will be a matter for the Government. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage pending the outcome of these deliberative processes. There are a range of measures in place in the education sector to promote the teaching of Irish, and 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 €2 million 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.