asked the Minister for Education if he will indicate why candidates who obtain honours in the subject English in the leaving certificate examination should not be credited with two honours for the purpose of higher education grants.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Leaving Certificate Examination.
48.
Mr. R. Burke
If the incentives which I offered to candidates to study Irish to a high level as an alternative to compulsion were extended to subjects such as English they would then cease to be incentives.
Would the Minister not agree that, from the point of view of education, there would be the same merit in awarding two honours in respect of an honours success in the leaving certificate for the subject of English as there would for the subject of Irish?
Mr. R. Burke
In the rules and programme for secondary schools, 600 marks are assigned to each of the subjects Irish and mathematics; only 400 marks are assigned to English and all other subjects, except general musicianship to which 300 marks are assigned. The fact that both Irish and mathematics are placed on the 600 mark would indicate a certain equality there that does not exist in relation to other subjects.
There is a difference between the subject of mathematics and Irish in that students are not born into areas where mathematics are the spoken language. My question did not refer to mathematics.
Has the Deputy completed his question?
I hope that the Minister when replying to questions will treat the House with the same articulation and courtesy he gives to other audiences. I am suggesting to him that there is the same case for granting recognition to an honours English as there is to an honours Irish. Equating an honours mathematics with an honours Irish is not the same thing.
The Minister for a final reply on this question.
Mr. R. Burke
I have given my reply. I hope without arrogance. I do not intend to be arrogant. I have given the answer that, if a double honour were given to English or any other subject, it would cease to be an incentive in relation to the Irish language proposals.