Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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505. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if changes are planned to the Irish language school curriculum (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39881/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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Work is underway in the NCCA on the development of a new integrated English and Irish specification at primary level. The NCCA has consulted on their work so far which is focussed on junior infant classes through to second class. The findings of the consultation are informing the development of the curriculum. It is expected that the new curriculum will be available to schools from September 2015 and implemented from September 2016. The emphasis is not only on reading and writing but also on the listening and speaking aspects of the languages.

The NCCA, having completed its consultation on a background paper on Irish for the Junior Cycle, is currently working on the development of the new specification. This will be available for implementation in schools for their first years from September 2016. This specification will clarify the learning outcomes to be achieved by students and place an increased emphasis on the development of oral language skills. Consideration is also being given to the introduction of a short course in Irish in Junior Cycle particularly for Irish students in the Gaeltacht, or students in Gaelcholáistí who would like the opportunity to study additional Irish.

Since June 2012, the weighting for oral Irish proficiency in the Leaving Certificate was increased from 25% to 40%. The impact of this change is being reviewed. It should be noted that the percentage of Irish candidates taking the Higher Level paper has risen from 37% in 2012 to 40% in 2014. This is most likely attributable to the new weighing / emphasis on oral Irish.

An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) has been co-located with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) so that the development of curricula and support materials for Irish (this is a key part of the remit of COGG) can take place in a closely co-ordinated way. This approach should allow for the enhancement of the quality of teaching and learning.

There has been significant investment in continuous professional development (CPD) for Irish teachers in recent years. For example,

- CPD in relation to the national literacy and numeracy strategy for primary teachers and post-primary teachers has included specific provision for teachers in Irish medium schools and a commitment to offering 20 hours of CPD over the course of 5 years to certain teachers.

- CPD for post primary teachers of Irish from 2007 - 2012 has provided by the Seirbhís Tacaíochta Dara Leibhéal don Ghaeilge. This team has now been integrated with the Professional Development Service for Teachers and continues to provide CPD for teachers of Irish as part of the literacy strategy

- CPD for post-primary teachers of Irish in the context of the new junior cycle Irish specification will begin in the school year 2015/2016.

Thus at both primary and post-primary there is a significant amount of work being done or being reviewed. One of the aims of this work would be to improve the oral language skills of the students and to make it a living language that they will be competent and proud to use. This commitment to Irish is also mindful of the Government's 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010 - 2030.