Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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111. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to protect funding for the Irish language in future budgets. [7315/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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As you are aware I am committed to the implementation of the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010 - 2030, as its recommendations relate to the remit of my Department. This is being done on a phased basis over the twenty year time span.

For example, there is a lot of activity underway in reforming the Irish language curricula at primary and post-primary. At primary there is the new Integrated language curriculum which is being developed for the infant classes through to first and second classes. At Junior Cycle, a consultation process has just been completed on a background paper relating to the development of a new specification for Irish at Junior Cycle. At senior cycle there is a revised assessment arrangement in place which allocates 40% of the Leaving Certificate marks to the oral component of the examination. This additional allocation to oral Irish is currently being reviewed.

Work has also commenced on a review of education in the Gaeltacht areas.