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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 May 2000

Vol. 519 No. 6

Written Answers. - All-Irish Schools.

Donal Carey

Question:

215 Mr. D. Carey asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the problems which exist in all-Irish secondary schools such as (i) very few adequate text books for teaching through Irish (ii) the lack of up-to-date, revised text books to accompany new syllabi (iii) the time spent by teachers and students translating material (iv) the lack of ancillary material available to students, for example, revision books, study guides, which place students at a distinct disadvantage, especially at exam time, to those students learning through English, and (v) the lack of sufficient extra marks as compensation for those students doings exams through Irish; the plans, if any, he has to deal with these problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14630/00]

While my Department does not prepare or approve textbooks for use in schools, An Gúm, which is now part of An Foras Teanga, prepares original textbooks in Irish and Irish translations of commercially produced textbooks. It provides a wide range of dictionaries that are suitable for use in schools.

Section 31 of the Education Act, 1998, is designed specifically to support learning and teaching through Irish. That section, which came into force on 23 December 1999, provides for the establishment of a body of persons who will advise on policies relating to the provision and promotion of education through the medium of Irish. The body will have a specific remit in relation to textbooks and aids to learning and teaching through Irish and to the provision of support services to schools teaching through Irish.

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