I propose to take Questions Nos. 180, 181, 186, 189, 190, 191 and 193 together.
My Department's inspectorate, on foot of a major review of Irish language policies carried out in the Department last year, has recently prepared an internal report for policy discussion. The Coimisinéir Teanga, along with other interest groups, contributed to that process. The principal recommendations highlight the need for improvements in teacher training to sustain communicative approaches at both primary and second level, a greater emphasis on oral competence in pre-service training, improvements in the supply of resource materials and additional courses for those studying for the Scrúdú le hAghaidh Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge. The report also recommends that the increase in pupils being granted exemptions from Irish should be addressed.
My Department is investing significantly to address these issues. In particular, major improvements are being made on the provision of materials and resources for the teaching of Irish. An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta has been established to progress this area and to provide support services for schools. Extensive in-service training has been provided to teachers in the teaching of Irish, emphasising a communicative approach. Marino Institute of Education now provides courses at different levels and an enhanced range of supports for those studying for the Scrúdú le hAghaidh Cailíochta sa Ghaeilge. A new circular on exemptions from Irish is currently being drafted. However, much remains to be done and these issues will be further progressed in the light of available resources.
The Scrúdú le hAghaidh Cailíochta sa Ghaeilge, SCG, is a requirement for recognition in the case of teachers who completed their training in another EU member state. Such entrants to teaching here have been trained mainly in the United Kingdom. The change in the marking of the SCG arose from the recommendations of a working group, established in 2001, to review all aspects of the syllabus and examination. Institiúid Teangeolaíochta Éireann, the colleges of education, primary school management organisations, INTO, National Parents Council, primary, and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment were all represented on this working group. Its report was published on my Department's website in 2004.
The SCG was the minimum standard required to teach Irish in mainstream primary schools, in Gaeltacht schools and in all Irish schools up to 2004. Since many candidates did not intend teaching in Gaeltacht or all-Irish schools, it was inappropriate to require the same standard of Irish of all teachers. The group recommended a differentiated approach under which those who gained 70% or more in the examination would be eligible to teach in Gaeltacht and all-Irish schools, while those who gained a pass grade would be recognised for English medium schools. The group recommended the pass mark for all modules be reduced from 50% to 40%, in line with the pass mark commonly used at third level. Entry to primary teacher training in Ireland requires a minimum of grade C at higher level in leaving certificate Irish.
The position on the teaching and learning of Irish will be continuously reviewed and a range of further evaluations and studies in this area is under way. This will be important in helping to bring about sustained improvements, particularly in the area of oral competence and communicative approaches. However, it is an accepted tenet of linguistic research that a language will struggle where a society does not create an environment for its active everyday use.