Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 25: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills her views on whether it is appropriate for children in vocational education committee schools to be segregated during religious instruction; if she will reverse this policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18318/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The delivery of religious education and faith formation in the community national schools, in keeping with the ethos of the schools, is rooted in principles of inclusion and respect for the diversity of the community represented in the school – with faith formation in different faiths being provided in accordance with the wishes of parents. The overwhelming emphasis in the multi-belief programme is on inclusivity and children are taught a common programme together as a group for more than 80% of the time. Differentiation take place for short periods of faith-specific teaching as might happen in the teaching of any subject.

The multi-belief programme is being developed on an action research basis over the course of the pilot phase of this new primary school model. This method of curriculum development, which is being facilitated by County Dublin VEC, gives an opportunity for all involved, including the faith and belief communities, teachers and parents to share in addressing the practical classroom challenges involved. It means that different approaches can be trialled, assessed and adapted for the future based on experience. The multi-belief programme currently being delivered in the schools is therefore very much a work in progress to be tested over the duration of the research period.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 26: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if, in view of the provisions available to Gaelscoileanna to practice early total immersion education, this practice will be replicated in Gaeltacht schools; if she has any objection to Gealtacht schools following suit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18315/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The present primary school curriculum affords primacy to the language of instruction of the school in the recommended timeframe for language teaching in English- and Irish-medium schools. It provides for two languages from the beginning of schooling, and sets out learning objectives for all subjects which should be promoted at 4 key stages of primary schooling - by the end of the infant cycle, second class, 4th class and 6th class. Irish-medium schools have traditionally delayed the introduction of the teaching of English for varying periods in order to expedite children's acquisition of Irish, the language of instruction of the school.

In making regulations to prescribe the primary curriculum, I will seek to balance the option to defer the teaching of English in Irish medium schools until the end of the first term in senior infants (subject to the approval of the school Board of Management, following consultation with patron, teachers and parents) with children's entitlement to access the full primary school curriculum, including English.

Recent research has highlighted the increasing diversity of the linguistic community in Gaeltacht areas. I am conscious of the needs of a growing proportion of children enrolling in Gaeltacht schools whose home language is not Irish. I propose to extend the same flexibility to Gaeltacht schools in planning their Irish and English curriculum as will be available to Irish-medium schools outside the Gaeltacht.

A school is required to ensure that its curriculum caters for the educational needs of all its students. I believe that the best educational interests of all children should be the primary consideration in planning the language curriculum for schools. The school plan for language should be developed in consultation with the individual school's stakeholders, including all parents