Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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279. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps taken by his Department to promote immersion education through Irish as set out in the 20-year strategy for the Irish language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22405/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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A new more mainstreamed approach, to that set out in the 20 Year Strategy on the Irish language, is being adopted by the Department in relation to language teaching and the embedding of language skills in our primary schools. In fact, a new language curriculum has been prepared by the NCCA for junior infants to second classes. It will include both English and Irish. It will be introduced to these primary pupils from next September.

Guidance on the use of CLIL (content and language integrated learning) is included in the materials developed by the NCCA to support the implementation of the new Primary language curriculum for infants to second classes. This will be introduced to primary schools from September 2016.

A comprehensive continuing professional development programme is in place to support the implementation of the new primary language curriculum. Teachers are, as part of this professional development, receiving advice on the use of different methodologies to teach Irish and to use Irish as the medium of instruction.

Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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280. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the remaining actions that his Department needs to take to give effect to the 20-year strategy on the Irish language; his plans to implement these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22406/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Over the last five years, the Department of Education and Skills has continued to fulfil the commitments set out in its implementation plan under the 20-Year Strategy for Irish on a phased and systematic basis. My Department periodically monitors and reports on the progress made in the implementation of the Strategy. The most recent report on the progress made by the Department over the last five years was published in November 2015 and may be accessed on my Department's website at . This report outlines the continued progress that has been made, particularly with regard to developments in: curriculum; teacher education policy; Irish-medium education and Gaeltacht education.

Work is currently underway in my Department to finalise policy proposals for Gaeltacht education in light of the outcomes of a consultation process. Consideration is being given to various options and potential actions that will be most beneficial for the regeneration and survival of the Irish language and of the role Gaeltacht education has to play in this. The document needs to be discussed by me with my Cabinet colleagues. Proposals in the document are also being discussed as part of the estimates process for the forthcoming budget.

My Department will continue to monitor on-going progress in the implementation of the 20 Year Strategy and, in collaboration with the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, will continue to support and promote best practice with regard to the Irish Language not only in Gaeltacht areas but also throughout the education system.