asked the Minister for Education whether adequate text-books in Irish are available for secondary schools; and whether his Department have any plans to increase the number of text-books available in Irish.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Availability of Irish Text-books.
36.
I have introduced a new scheme which will enable publishers to produce, contemporaneously with their English editions, Irish versions of all text-books published by them and considered suitable by the Department. The scheme also covers translations of approved texts already published as well as new standardised editions of text-books already published in Irish. Under this scheme grants of up to £12 per 1,000 words are available to publishers, as well as grants to cover certain other expenses. In the case of books containing many illustrations and formulae the grant is based on the number of pages. It is hoped that within a short space of time, through the operation of this scheme, a wide range of text-books in Irish will be available. Twenty-two text-books in nine subjects have already been approved under this scheme.
In conjunction with the scheme, I have announced the establishment of a permanent committee for the production of an authoritative standard terminology in Irish. The lack of such terminology has been, up to now, a major factor in hindering the production of text-books in Irish. Full details on this matter are contained in a statement of mine dated 12th November, 1968, copies of which, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to have circulated with the Official Report.
Will these be ready for the next school year — the full range?
Yes. We have a number ready for this school year and the full range will be available for next year.
Following is the statement:—
For some time past the position in relation to the provision of an adequate supply of text-books in Irish for secondary school pupils has been under review in the Department of Education.
Since 1927 the Department, through An Gúm, has been engaged in the publishing of text-books in Irish, in the original or in translation.
From 1954 onwards, under the Bord na Leabhar Gaeilge scheme, grants have been available from the Department to publishers in general for the production of text-books in Irish.
Although the finance available for the production of text-books in Irish through these schemes has been adequate they have not succeeded in supplying the needs of the schools due to the fact that the rate of production was not sufficiently rapid.
One of the main reasons for this failure has been the fact that authors and publishers have not availed themselves of the existing grant schemes to the necessary extent.
In view of this, the Minister for Education has introduced a new scheme which will enable publishers to produce, contemporaneously with their English editions, Irish versions of all text-books published by them and considered suitable by the Department.
The scheme also covers translations of approved texts already published as well as new standardised editions of text-books already published in Irish.
Under this scheme grants of up to £12 per 1,000 words are available to publishers, as well as grants to cover certain other expenses. In the case of books containing many illustrations and formulae the grant is based on the number of pages.
It is hoped that within a short space of time, through the operation of this scheme, a wide range of text-books in Irish will be available.
Twenty-two text-books in nine subjects have already been approved under this scheme.
In conjunction with the scheme the Minister for Education wishes to announce the establishment of a permanent committee for the production of an authoritative standard terminology in Irish. The lack of such terminology has been up to now a major factor in hindering the production of text-books in Irish.
Under the aegis of the Department of Education two collections of terms in Irish, Foclóir Eolaíochta and Foclóir Bitheolaíochta have been published during the last few years. A third collection, Foclóir Tíreolaíochta, is almost completed.
The Permanent Terminology Committee now established will be responsible for the production, publication and publicising—through An Gúm— of all the terminology required to meet the needs of teaching through Irish at all levels and for keeping the position in regard to terminology under constant review.
The following have agreed to act as members of the Permanent Terminology Committee:
1. An tOllamh Tomás de Bhaldraithe, M.A., Ph.D., D.Litt., M.R.I.A. University College, Dublin.
2. An tOllamh Proinsias Mac Cana, Ph.D., University College, Dublin.
3. Máirtín Ó Murchú, M.A., University College, Cork.
4. An tOllamh Dáithí Ó hUaithne, M.A., Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies.
5. Seámas Daltún, M.A., Translation Staff, Leinster House.
6. Micheál Ó Siochfhradha, M.A., Educational Company of Ireland, Talbot St., Dublin, 1.
7. Stiofán Ó hAnnracháin, M.A., H.Dip., St. Patrick's Training College, Drumcondra.
8. An Bráthair Donnchadh Ó Muineog, M.Sc.
9. Seán Ó Súilleabháin, B.A., Folklore Commission, 82 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2.
10. Niall Ó Dónaill, Chief Editor, Publications Branch, Department of Education.
11. Pádraig Ó Dálaigh, M.A., Chief Executive Officer, Technical School, Drogheda.
12. Pádraig Ó Fionnghalaigh, B.A., Roinn-Chigire, Primary Branch, Department of Education.
13. Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, M.A., Senior Inspector, Secondary Branch, Department of Education.
14. Tomás Ó Grianáin, B.Sc., H.Dip., Senior Inspector, Technical Branch, Department of Education.
15. An tOllamh Gearóid Mac Eoin, M.A., D.Phil., University College, Galway.
Mr. Thomas Ó Floinn, M.A., Assistant Secretary in the Department of Education, will act as Chairman of the Permanent Committee.