Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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945. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will consider the recruitment of Chinese language teaching posts by an organisation (details supplied); and if the organisation will publish the criteria for teachers to qualify. [15771/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The new Mandarin Chinese specification for Leaving Certificate has been in the process of being implemented since September 2020. Three schools in Dublin implemented it in 5th year in September 2020. Eleven schools have introduced Mandarin Chinese in Transition Year (TY) with a view to offering it for Leaving Certificate 5th year students in Sept 2021. 

Post Primary Languages Ireland has recruited 6 teachers who are receiving significant support and CPD in order to implement the new specification.  

Four hundred and twenty one students are taking Mandarin Chinese in Junior Cycle in 4 schools, 564 students taking it in TY, and 59 students taking Mandarin Chinese in 5th year. 

The Teaching Council is currently developing requirements for the four new curricular languages of Mandarin Chinese, Polish, Portuguese and Lithuanian, in line with the revised curricular subject requirements as recently approved by the Minister of Education. The Council will convene an information briefing for relevant key stakeholders in respect of these four curricular subjects in the coming weeks. The requirements will then go to Council for approval and subsequently consideration by the Minister.