asked the Minister for Education if he is satisfied that the present policy whereby in national schools subjects other than Irish are taught through the medium of Irish to pupils in junior classes whose home language is not Irish is educationally sound, and is the best way in which to advance the speaking of Irish.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Teaching of Subjects through Irish.
46.
I have recently been examining this matter in all its aspects and I am greatly concerned at the feeling that the present practice does not appear to be achieving our aims.
All in all, I am inclining towards the view that possibly more could be achieved towards the advancement of Irish as a spoken tongue by concentrating on teaching Irish well from the beginning with special stress on oral command of Irish and less stress on teaching through Irish, particularly in junior classes.
I hope to have concluded my consideration of the matter within a short time and then to be in a position to issue a statement in relation to it.