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Irish Language Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2013

Tuesday, 14 May 2013

Questions (239, 240)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

239. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that the office, and employees of the Council for Gaeltacht Education, and Irish Medium Education will not be located in the offices of the NCCA, but that the offices of COGG will be a satellite, located in a separate building, as it is internationally recognised that a dominant language, will impact upon minor languages, and because there will be far more people working for the NCCA which will mean that there be a threat to Irish as the working language of COGG; if he will reconsider this decision as to whether it would be preferable to reverse this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22217/13]

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Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

240. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline, specifically, which administrative services will the NCCA be able to provide to COGG, in Irish, to a standard equal to that in English; if he had examined whether these services would be available in Irish prior to the decision being made to merge COGG with the NCCA; if he will reconsider this decision as to whether it would be preferable to reverse the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22218/13]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 239 and 240 together.

My Department has been in communication with both the NCCA and COGG in relation to the co-location. I have been assured that the co-location is on schedule for this summer. Management in both organisations are in direct communications to ensure that any logistics that require to be considered are resolved. The main aim of this co-location is to ensure, through a collaborative approach, that the new arrangements maximise opportunities for the creation of Irish curricula by the NCCA while at the same time ensure that resource materials will be prepared by COGG to support the teachers. Such an approach will assist with the delivery of a quality learning experience to our students right through from primary, to junior cycle and hence into senior cycle. Thus COGG in conjunction with the NCCA have a key role to play in the development of the Irish language.

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