Vol. 477 No. 1
169 Mr. L. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Education her views on the gradual decline in the use of the Irish language; if she will allocate extra resources for the revitalisation of this crucial aspect of our national identity and to capitalise on the international profile given to our language by the recent successes of Michelle Smith; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8636/97]
There are signs that the status of the Irish language is stronger today in many Galltacht areas than in the recent past. My Department's role in relation to the Irish language is concerned with the effectiveness of its teaching in schools. It is a function of the education system to provide the means for students to learn the Irish language and to make them aware of its inherent value. Institúid Teangeolaíochta na hÉireann has conducted a number of surveys over the past 20 years on the attainment of Irish in primary schools which has shown that there is no decrease in standards.
A revised Irish primary curriculum will be available towards the end of 1997. The minimum objective of the revised curriculum, as stated in the White Paper Charting Our Education Future, is that on completion of primary education students will be able to conduct a simple conversation in Irish and will have acquired a knowledge of the basic structures of the Irish language as a foundation for further study at second level and an awareness of Irish history and culture.
