Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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322. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the Junior Certificate T1 Irish course is marked harder than the T2 Irish course (details supplied); to detail the statistical distribution of all grades in all languages, including the T1 and T2 Irish Junior Certificate tests; the statistical distribution for results for native speakers of all other languages in those languages; and the reason there is active discrimination against students of Gaelscoileanna and from Gaeltacht schools. [42420/24]

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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323. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of deep concerns in Gaeltacht schools and Gaelcholáistí regarding the grading of Gaeilge in T1 schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42439/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 322 and 323 together.

With effect since 2017, as part of the Framework for Junior Cycle, Junior Cycle provision for Irish in post-primary schools and settings comprises two new specifications. The T1 (Language 1, in Irish, Teanga 1) specification is targeted at students in Irish-medium schools and students in English-medium schools who learn one or more subjects (apart from Irish) through the medium of Irish. The T2 (Language 2, Teanga 2) specification is targeted at other students in English-medium schools.

In the T1 specification, the language needs of both native speakers of Irish and learners of Irish are considered. The provision of enriched language-learning experiences for all students, particularly those who are native speakers of Irish, is of the utmost importance. These students use the language on a daily basis, at home, in the neighbourhood and in school. Due to their immediate language environment, they have fairly well-developed productive and receptive language skills. This specification aims to develop, enrich and enhance the full range of students’ language skills.

It is expected that the competencies and understandings from this specification will support native Irish speakers to:

• take advantage of opportunities for language use in the community;
• learn through Irish across the curriculum; and
• play an active part in Gaeltacht community life.