Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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512. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress of reviewing and renewing the Irish language curriculum, both at primary level and, within the context of junior certificate reform, at secondary level, to place a greater emphasis on linguistic skills; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39627/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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This Government is committed to supporting the overall thrust of the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030, and to the delivery of the goals and targets proposed. As part of this, a thorough reform of the Irish curriculum and the way Irish is taught at primary and second level is being undertaken. The priority is to take steps to improve the quality and effectiveness of the teaching of Irish.

The priority at primary level is to provide high-quality language learning in our two languages, Irish and English. A new Integrated Primary Languages Curriculum, incorporating Irish and English, is being developed by the NCCA. The first phase will be introduced for Junior Infants to 2nd classes from September 2016. It will be accompanied by dedicated CPD for principals and teachers. Work on the language curriculum for 3rd to 6th classes has commenced and will be introduced later. The curriculum aims to ensure that students acquire transferable language skills which will assist them in learning not only Irish and English during their primary education but through gaining transferable language skills, additional languages at second level.

The NCCA is currently conducting an in-depth analysis of the outcomes of a wide consultation with stakeholders on a draft specification for the new Junior Cycle Irish curriculum. The consultation process has been very informative but there is a need to further explore how the curriculum can best meet the needs of students in both English medium and Irish medium schools. I look forward to the outcomes of this comprehensive consultation and to the implementation of the revised Junior Cycle Irish curriculum, commencing in September 2017.

A revised Leaving Certificate curriculum in Irish began in all schools in September 2010, and was examined for the first time in 2012. The revised programme provides for an increase in the proportion of marks available for oral assessment to 40%, and is aimed at promoting a significant shift in emphasis towards Irish as a spoken language, where students can communicate and interact in a spontaneous way, and where Irish is spoken every day in schools. A review is currently underway of the oral component of Irish in the Leaving Certificate, and it is expected that a report will be published on this in the next number of months.

Finally, I would like to note that an in-depth review of Education Provision in the Gaeltacht is nearing completion. I look forward to a report in the coming months.