Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 270: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the publication of the draft 20-year strategy for the Irish language with its emphasis on immersion education, he will reconsider his decision to end the practice of early immersion education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44927/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The revised primary curriculum was launched in 1999 and provides an integrated programme of learning in the spheres of Languages, Mathematics, Social Environmental and Scientific Education, Arts Education, Physical Education, Social Personal and Health Education and Religious Education. Page 27 in the Introduction to the Curriculum states "It is a particular feature of Irish primary education that children, from the beginning of schooling, have experience of language learning in two languages." The curriculum also specifies a set of learning objectives for each area of the curriculum for 4 groupings – infant classes, first and second class, third and fourth class, and fifth and sixth class. It also sets out a suggested minimum weekly time framework for tuition. This provides that where a first language is being taught, there should be four hours instruction per week, and 3 hours per week where there is a shorter day for the infant classes. Where a second language is being taught, the suggested minimum timeframe is 3.5 hours per week, and 2.5 hours per week for infant classes with a shorter day.

My Department fully supports immersion models of education, but this does not obviate the need for Irish medium schools to implement all elements of the national curriculum. Furthermore the achievement of the curriculum objectives in every curriculum area at each of the four levels of primary schooling is an over-riding requirement in all schools. I am convinced of the importance of ensuring that all children have access to the full primary curriculum from the earliest possible stage. This approach is not in conflict with the strategy for the Irish language.