asked the Minister for Education whether he can give particulars of the regulations governing the programme of instruction, the attendance of pupils, and the system of remuneration of fosterage schools, together with a statement as to whether the results of the fosterage school system justify a wide extension of that system.
Written Answers. - Fosterage School System.
The official regulations which have special application to fosterage schools are Rules 22 (6) (a) and (b), 50 (3), 54 (16), 58, 73 (11), 110 and 114.
The programme of instruction is that for national schools. Irish only is to be used in the domestic life of these schools and as a teaching medium for all subjects of the curriculum.
Only one fosterage school has been so far recognised, i.e., Scoil na Leanbh at Ring, Co. Waterford. It is a matter for public knowledge that highly successful results have been achieved at this school in making Irish speakers of the children in attendance. I have no doubt that the successful establishment of other schools of this kind fulfilling the official requirements and achieving similar results would be of great assistance in the revival of the language as a living speech.
The establishment of schools of this type rests with the community and not with my Department.
I am sending the Deputy a copy of the Rules and Regulations for National Schools.