Brian O'Shea
Question:178 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount of money his Department has spent on the Irish language in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15072/03]
Written Answers. - Irish Language.
Brian O'Shea
Question:179 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science his Department's objective in relation to its expenditure on the Irish language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15086/03]
Brian O'Shea
Question:180 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the monitoring system his Department has in place in regard to his Department's objective in relation to the Irish language; the expenditure in achieving that objective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15100/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 178 to 180, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy will be aware, section 6(1) of the Education Act 1998 makes specific provision for the extension of bi-lingualism in Irish society and in particular the achievement of a greater use of the Irish language at school and in the community. Furthermore, it requires the maintenance of Irish as the primary community language in Gaeltacht areas. This position is reflected in the report of the Gaeltacht Commission 2002 which provides the basis for future policy on the Irish language and the Gaeltacht. In accordance with section 6(1) of the Education Act 1998, my Department's objective in relation to its expenditure is mainly on the following; the equipping of student teachers during their course of training to be competent teachers of Irish at primary level and capable of teaching through Irish in such schools as use Irish as their medium of instruction, the equipping of an adequate number of teachers to teach Irish at second level and to teach through Irish in such schools as use Irish as their medium of instruction; the continuance of a body to advise the Minister and the Department of the ongoing requirements of the aforesaid provision and to support the provision of textbooks as required in accordance with section 31 of the Education Act to ensure that at first and second level curricula in line with best linguistic research and answering to the needs of learners are available to pupils according to their abilities, and providing for such in-career developmental training as is necessary to equip teachers properly to deliver the curricula; ensuring that competent teachers are provided to give a stimulating experience of Irish to students who attend coláistí Gaeilge; providing financial aid to third level institutions through the Higher Education Authority to provide courses through the medium of Irish, to employ oifigigh Ghaeilge to propagate use of the language within the institution and to encourage the use of Irish as a medium of conversation, and taking steps to ensure that Irish versions are available of all our published documentation.
In December 2001, I established An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta, under section 31 of the Education Act, to plan and co-ordinate the provision of textbooks and aids to learning and teaching through Irish, and to advise me on policies relating to the provision and promotion of education through the medium of Irish in recognised schools generally and in schools located in Gaeltacht areas. This body will provide support services and will conduct research into matters relating to the promotion of the Irish language. The inspectorate of my Department monitors the quality and effectiveness of the provision of education in the State. In the context of their general evaluative work, inspectors report to me on the delivery of the syllabi in Irish, the teaching methods and the overall outcome of teaching and learning. My Department has undertaken recently a major survey in conjunction with Institiúid Teangeolaíochta Éireann, ITE. The survey aims to measure progress in the teaching and learning of Irish among sixth class pupils in primary schools.
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment reviews curricula and examinations from time to time and will have access to the advice of An Comhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta on matters relating to the teaching of Irish and teaching through Irish at primary and second levels. The State Examinations Commission provides external monitoring of the junior certificate and leaving certificate examinations. My Department does not keep data on the level of spending on individual subjects as the collection of such data would involve the expenditure of an inordinate amount of resources to collate it. While specific expenditure on grants to Irish language organisations, on individual promotion programmes dealing with aspects of the curriculum, and on in-service courses would be available, the major element of expenditure on the Irish language each year involves the levels of teaching resources devoted to the subject at both primary and second levels. This information is not readily available in the format sought by the Deputy.