Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 659: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when the new rules for the administration of early total immersion education in gaelscoileanna will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6111/10]

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 660: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will hold a consultation process with teachers and other interested education parties in regard to the drawing up of new guidelines for the administration of early total immersion education in gaelscoileanna; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6112/10]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 659 and 660 together.

Having considered submissions regarding proposals to prescribe the primary school curriculum by regulation and following discussions with Irish language interests, I am proposing to introduce a regulation that will prescribe the primary curriculum. The regulation will stipulate that the teaching of English may be delayed in Irish-medium schools up to the end of the first term of senior infants, subject to the approval of the school's board of management and following consultation with the patron, teachers and parents' association. However, Irish-medium schools will be required to provide the stipulated provision for English for children whose parents request that provision.

The approach that is being adopted seeks to strike a balance that ensures that the practice of Irish-medium schools in providing immersion programmes can continue while at the same time respecting the position of those parents who seek to have access the national curriculum in English. I intend to provide a copy of the draft regulation to the education partners and Irish language organisations prior to laying it before the Houses of the Oireachtas over the coming weeks. This will be done when legal work on the preparation of the regulation is completed. It is envisaged that the regulations would be effective from September 2010.