Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Consultation by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) on new draft specifications for Leaving Certificate Irish has recently closed. The current development of draft specifications for Leaving Certificate Irish is part of the ongoing cycle of curriculum review and redevelopment.

Draft L1 and L2 curriculum specifications have been developed by the NCCA. The L1 specification is aimed at students in Irish medium schools including native speakers and the L2 specification is aimed at students in English medium schools where Irish is taught as a second language. It is intended that schools participating in the Gaeltacht recognition scheme will be required to provide at least the L1 specification and English medium schools will have the option of providing the L1 and/or the L2 depending on the needs of students.

As the Deputy will be aware, the NCCA opened the consultation process in February 2021 and, in response to stakeholder concerns and requests, extended the closing date to the end of November 2021. To support stakeholder participation, the NCCA employed a wide range of consultation tools including an online survey, bilateral and focus group meetings and written submissions.

The consultation generated significant interest and a high volume of responses. The NCCA has commenced a detailed analysis and consideration of all the feedback received. To support this process, the NCCA recently awarded a tender to the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG) to analyse responses. It is anticipated that a draft report on the consultation will be available for consideration before the end of this academic year.

The Deputy will appreciate that it is not possible to pre-empt the findings of this very important consultation process. The outcomes will, in due course, inform future decisions on curriculum provision for Leaving Certificate Irish and any supports that may be provided.