asked the Minister for Education the present position concerning the proposed Irish studies course for secondary schools.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Studies Course.
29.
Projects in Irish studies have been conducted on a pilot basis in a limited number of schools and the experience gained is being assessed for the purpose of appropriate decisions in relation to further development.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that it is time we made a further enlargement of this course to make it available to all schools? We were given a promise in the spring of 1973 and Comhairle na Gaeilge, in their excellent report in June, 1974, also made recommendations in relation to this.
While the long-term development of the course in Irish studies is being considered on the basis of the results and practical experience obtained in the schools in which the pilot scheme was undertaken it is not time yet to make a final decision on the future prospects of the concept of an Irish studies course.
Has the Parliamentary Secretary taken into consideration the report of Comhairle na Gaeilge issued in 1974 and the findings of that body?
I have no information about the exact implications of the Comhairle na Gaeilge report in this context but I can tell the Deputy that a syllabus committee is functioning under the aegis of the Department of Education to study this matter and it consists of representatives of the Department and the schools involved in addition to some outside experts.
The Parliamentary Secretary must have something more in his brief. That body welcomed the proposals of the Minister announced in the spring of 1973 and devoted a complete chapter to recommendations and gave a possible breakdown of a school programme. I admit that there will be difficulties in trying to establish this course but sufficient is not being done.
Speech making is not in order at Question Time.
I do not think the Minister, or the Department, are sincere in their efforts to have this course implemented.
I have no doubt that the report of Comhairle na Gaeilge and the reports of other interested groups will be borne in mind by the Minister when taking decisions in relation to this matter but it should also be appreciated that there are financial and organisational implications in a departure of this sort, if it is to be adopted on a national scale.
This proposal came forward in the spring of 1973 and we are now in the spring of 1977. Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that there has been a lot of foot-dragging on this?
It was made clear from the outset that the proposal was being introduced on the basis of a pilot project, not as a general scheme. Those pilot projects are continuing and will be assessed.
Cathain a bheidh toradh an scrúdú sin agat?
The study is continuing. It is not yet possible to say when the results will be available.