Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 November 2013
207. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Sandra McLellan den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cad atá ar intinn ag an Roinn a dhéanamh lena chinntiú go bhfaighfidh scoileanna Gaeltachta a ndóthain tacaíochta agus áiseanna. [44227/13]
View answer208. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cad atá ar intinn ag an Roinn a dhéanamh chun a chinntiú go bhfaighfidh scoileanna Gaeltachta a ndóthain tacaíochta agus áiseanna. [44626/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 207 and 208 together.
In line with the implementation of the 20 Year Strategy, a range of curricular measures are already in place to support Gaeltacht schools. The development of a new integrated language curriculum at primary level is well advanced. This curriculum will include learning outcomes specific to the language learning needs of pupils that learn through Irish, including those in Gaeltacht schools. Work has also commenced on the development of a new specification for Irish at Junior Cycle. Consideration is also being given to the development of a specialised short course in Irish for use in Irish medium schools as part of the new Junior Cycle.
An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta has greatly improved the range of educational resources and materials available for teaching through Irish. The co-location of COGG with the NCCA will enhance COGG's capacity in this work by enabling the development of curriculum by the NCCA and materials in Irish in COGG to take place in a closely co-ordinated way. The Department of Education and Skills is also undertaking a comprehensive review of education provided in the Gaeltacht. This review will take account of the particular challenges with regard to teaching through Irish in Gaeltacht schools and the planning provisions in the Gaeltacht Act 2013. The purpose of the review is to identify options for the delivery of education in Gaeltacht primary schools and post-primary schools of various linguistic profiles, and to clarify expectations and policy with regard to teaching through Irish in such schools. Arising from the review, it is expected that a range of policy options for the provision of education in Gaeltacht schools will be provided and that any additional supports required in the future will be identified.
Tá raon beartas ar bun de réir forfheidhmiú na Straitéise Fiche Bliain chun tacú leis na scoileanna Gaeltachta. Tá dul chun cinn maith déanta le curaclam nua don Ghaeilge a fhorbairt ag an mbunleibhéal. Cuimseoidh an curaclam seo torthaí foghlama atá sainiúil do riachtanais foghlama teanga na ndaltaí a fhoghlaimíonn trí Ghaeilge, lena n-áirítear iad siúd sna scoileanna Gaeltachta. Tá tús curtha chomh maith le sonrúchán nua don Ghaeilge nua don tSraith Shóisearach a fhorbairt. Tá machnamh á dhéanamh ar ghearrchúrsa speisialaithe a fhorbairt ar féidir leis na scoileanna lán- Ghaeilge a úsáid mar chuid den Teastas Sóisearach nua. Tá raon na n-acmhainní agus na n-ábhar oideachais atá ar fáil chun tacú le teagasc trí Ghaeilge méadaithe go mór ag an gComhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG). Cuirfidh comhshuíomh COGG leis an gComhairle Náisiúnta Curaclaim agus Measúnachta le cumas COGG san obair seo trí ligean d'fhorbairt na gcuraclam ag CNCM agus d'fhorbairt na n-ábhar i nGaeilge ag COGG, tarlúint ar bhealach atá comhordaithe go dlúth. Chomh maith leis sin, tá athbhreithniú cuimsitheach tosaithe ag an Roinn seo ar an oideachas a chuirtear ar fáil sa Ghaeltacht. Áireoidh an t-athbhreithniú seo na dúshláin ar leith a bhaineann le teagasc trí Ghaeilge sna scoileanna Gaeltachta agus na forálacha pleanála san Acht Gaeltachta 2013. Is é cuspóir an athbhreithnithe ná chun roghanna a aithint i dtaca le soláthar oideachais i mbunscoileanna agus in iar-bhunscoileanna Gaeltachta a bhfuil próifílí teangeolaíocha éagsúla acu, agus chun ionchais agus polasaí a shoiléiriú maidir le teagasc trí Ghaeilge sna scoileanna sin. Ag eascairt as an athbhreithniú, táthar ag súil go ndéanfar forbairt ar raon na roghanna polasaí do sholáthar oideachais i scoileanna Gaeltachta agus go ndéanfar aon tacaíochtaí breise a bheidh ag teastáil amach anseo a aithint.
