Written answers

Tuesday, 28 May 2013

Department of Education and Skills

Irish Language Issues

Photo of Peadar TóibínPeadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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258. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the commitment in the 20 years strategy that the role of COGG will be strengthened to reflect the need to address various issues particular to the teaching and learning of Irish in schools operating through the medium of Irish, both inside and outside the Gaeltacht and the teaching of Irish in all recognised schools, and in particular his views on this commitment, in view of the decision to amalgamate COGG with the NCCA; and the way he intends to ensure that the Strategy’s commitment to ensure that there are adequate supports to ensure the teaching of Irish, and teaching through Irish is fulfilled. [19292/13]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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In reaching this decision, I paid particular attention to the context of our support not only for the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010 - 2030 but also to the Education Act, 1998, to the Gaeltacht Act 2012, the recommendations in the Literacy and Numeracy for Learning and Life - The National Strategy to Improve Literacy and Numeracy among Children and Young People 2011 - 2020 and to the implementation of the Framework for Junior Cycle which I published last October.

I believe that the co-location of An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) with the NCCA will enhance and strengthen the capacity of COGG to meet its statutory functions. The NCCA has a significant amount of work currently underway or about to be started on the Irish language curricula in our schools. As this work progresses, COGG will concurrently and collaboratively be creating resource materials to support the implementation of the new Irish curricula in our schools, both Irish medium schools and English medium schools.

The new arrangement will maximise the possibilities for collaboration and cooperation between both bodies. Such an approach should ensure that there are adequate supports and that such supports will enhance the quality of the teaching and learning of Irish for our students. COGG will therefore continue to plan and co-ordinate for the provision of resources for the teaching and learning of Irish and to advise on and support teaching through Irish.

Photo of Peadar TóibínPeadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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259. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update as to the work that is being done with newly arrived immigrant children, to assist them to learn Irish, and to participate in all Irish language activities in their education, in particular in view of the commitment in the 20 year strategy to pay specific attention to their language learning needs. [19290/13]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I would like to inform you that it is not just the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language which states that students will learn two languages, English and Irish, in primary and post-primary schools but also the Literacy and Numeracy Strategy, published in 2011. The NCCA is currently developing a new integrated language curriculum that will allow primary pupils, including immigrant children, to engage in learning Irish. This approach will greatly enhance the quality of learning experienced by all pupils.

If the newly arrived immigrant children are not proficient in the language of instruction my Department provides an allocation for Language Support. If the immigrant child enters the primary school in senior classes he/she may be exempt from learning Irish in order to concentrate on learning English if this is the medium of instruction. In fact, all children are usually involved in activities that relate both to Irish language and culture in the daily life of their class.

Photo of Peadar TóibínPeadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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260. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update as to the progress that has been made as regards the commitment in the 20 years strategy to progress the development of an Irish language education resource centre in Baile Bhúirne, County Cork; if this commitment remains; and if he will provide a timescale on the development of such a centre. [19288/13]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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My Department is not in a position to proceed with this initiative in the current budgetary climate.

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