Michael P. Kitt
Question:187 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Minister for Education if she will have arrangements made to have some information on the great famine available to children in primary and post-primary schools. [16201/95]
Written Answers. - Great Famine.
Arising from recommendations from the Famine Commemoration Committee, on which my Department was represented, the following information on the Great Famine, 1845-1850 will be available to children in primary and post-primary schools: (i) A four part series of historical documentary programmes and a video film will be co-sponsored with RTE. The video will be available to schools. (ii) A major historical research project based on the records of the Poor Law Unions has been initiated. The publications resulting from this will be available for local research and as material for textbooks. In addition my Department has decided that an essay competition on famine related topics will be held in 1996 at three levels: (a) senior primary; (b) junior cycle second level and (c) senior cycle second level. Four post-graduate scholarships will be offered during the academic years 1996-1999 for applicants from the United States of America and third world countries to study famine related topics in agreed Irish level institutions.
In consultation with the ambassador of the United States of America an essay competition on an all Ireland basis on a famine related topic is being planned for second level students by my Department.
The grant famine is among the topics from which teachers in primary schools can select their learning activities when planning their curricula.