Irish Sign Language

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2016

Tuesday, 26 April 2016

Questions (411)

Seán Haughey

Question:

411. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure that Irish sign language is taught in post-primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8451/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

A new course in Irish Sign Language (ISL) has been prepared by the Post-Primary Languages Initiative (PPLI), a project of my Department. This 100 hour course is based on the Generic Short Course in Modern Languages, which was in turn developed by the PPLI using the new Framework for Junior Cycle and the Junior Cycle Short Courses Draft Handbook 'Developing Short Courses in Junior Cycle'.

The course provides the 'learning statements' and key skills which all short courses are based upon. In this course, the emphasis is on developing communication skills in ISL at level A1 (Council of Europe scale called CEFR).

Schools can choose to provide this short course as part of their Junior Cycle programme.