Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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72. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the National University of Ireland, Galway is expected to complete its work analysing responses to the consultation on the new draft specifications for leaving certificate Irish; if the analysis will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12503/22]

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 closed at the end of November 2021. The current development of draft specifications for Leaving Certificate Irish is part of the ongoing cycle of curriculum review and redevelopment.  

The NCCA has developed draft L1 and L2 curriculum specifications for Leaving Certificate Irish. The L1 specification is aimed at students in Irish medium schools including native speakers, while the L2 specification is aimed at students in English medium schools where Irish is taught as a second language. Under the draft proposals 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 specification, depending on the needs of students.

The model of curricular provision provided for in the draft specifications reflects the provision made for Irish in Irish-medium (L1)  and in English-medium (L2) schools at primary and junior cycle levels, and provides learners with continuity in their Irish language learning experience, addressing their language learning needs as they progress along their Irish language learning journey in specific settings.   

In response to concerns raised and requests made by some education stakeholders the NCCA extended the timeframe for the consultation on the Leaving Certificate Irish specifications from the end of August to the end of November 2021, in order to facilitate greater stakeholder engagement in the process. 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. This extension of the closing date has also allowed the NCCA to commence an early enactment review of the Junior Cycle Irish L1 and L2 subject specifications.

The NCCA awarded a tender to the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG) to analyse responses to the consultation. NUIG are analysing feedback from two aspects of the consultation, namely the online survey and written submissions. This work will be completed in April. It will then be combined with feedback from the three other aspects of the consultation, namely focus groups, bilateral meetings and interviews with teachers, to form the consultation report on the draft specifications L1 and L2 for Leaving Certificate Irish. It is anticipated that a draft report will be available for consideration before the end of this academic year. Consistent with all other consultations conducted by the NCCA, the report will be published on their website following its approval by the NCCA Council.