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Irish Language

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 May 2013

Tuesday, 28 May 2013

Questions (259)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

259. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update as to the work that is being done with newly arrived immigrant children, to assist them to learn Irish, and to participate in all Irish language activities in their education, in particular in view of the commitment in the 20 year strategy to pay specific attention to their language learning needs. [19290/13]

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Written answers

I would like to inform you that it is not just the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language which states that students will learn two languages, English and Irish, in primary and post-primary schools but also the Literacy and Numeracy Strategy, published in 2011. The NCCA is currently developing a new integrated language curriculum that will allow primary pupils, including immigrant children, to engage in learning Irish. This approach will greatly enhance the quality of learning experienced by all pupils.

If the newly arrived immigrant children are not proficient in the language of instruction my Department provides an allocation for Language Support. If the immigrant child enters the primary school in senior classes he/she may be exempt from learning Irish in order to concentrate on learning English if this is the medium of instruction. In fact, all children are usually involved in activities that relate both to Irish language and culture in the daily life of their class.

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