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School Curriculum

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 May 2022

Tuesday, 10 May 2022

Questions (515)

Seán Canney

Question:

515. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education the legislation, Acts or any other constitutional document that indicate that the teaching of Irish in schools is mandatory; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23172/22]

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Written answers

The Irish language is accorded special status in Ireland and is protected by various pieces of Legislation and in particular Article 8 of our Constitution which states that “The Irish Language as the national language is the first official language”. The language has particular social, historical and educational importance and is part of the unique cultural heritage of the Irish people. Irish is also an official language of the European Union. It is an aim of Government to increase on an incremental basis the use and knowledge of Irish as a community language.

In recognising the linguistic, social and cultural importance of Irish and English in Ireland, both languages are included as core subjects in the national curricula for recognised primary and secondary level schools and centres for education in Ireland. This has been the case since the foundation of the State and the importance of the teaching of Irish in this way has been re-affirmed on a number of occasions by the State, including most recently in the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030. All students in Primary and Second Level schools are required to study Irish unless they have been granted a Certificate of Exemption from the study of Irish.

The long-standing practice of the Department has been to use circulars as a means for communicating a number of matters including schemes, rules and other conditions associated with the recognition and funding of schools, and setting the terms and conditions of school staff. Much of that practice evolved in the absence of primary legislation governing the education sector. Following a national convention in the mid-1990s, a programme of educational reform was initiated. For the first time, this included the enactment of landmark pieces of primary legislation governing the school system. This included the Education Act 1998, the Education (Welfare) Act 2000 and the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004. While such legislation does permit of the making of regulations in a number of areas, regulations are not required in all situations. The practice of using administrative circulars which is familiar to schools, teachers and other school staff, and which allows for a necessary degree of flexibility and responsiveness has continued.

In addition, the Education Act 1998 recognises the particular responsibility of the education system with regard to supporting the Irish language. Section 6 of the Act provides that every person concerned with the implementation of the Act shall have regard to objects specified therein. These objects include contributing to the realisation of national policy and objectives in relation to the extension of bilingualism in Irish society and in particular the achievement of a greater use of the Irish language at school and in the community (Section 6(i)) and contributing to the maintenance of Irish as the primary community language in Gaeltacht areas (Section 6(j)). The responsibilities of the Department in respect of the teaching and promotion of Irish are also apparent from Sections 7(2)(d); 9(f) and (h); 13(3)(f); 31, 41(2)(g); 62(7)(h) and 62(9) thereof.

Rule 70(3) of the Rules for National Schools (1965) lists Irish as an obligatory subject for pupils in National Schools and Curricula for Irish are prescribed by the minister in accordance with Section 30 of the Education Act 1998. Rule 21(1) of the Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools 2004/2005 provides that the approved course for a post-primary school student must include not less than five of the subjects of which one must be Irish. Students are not required to sit an Irish examination nor is it a requirement to pass an Irish Examination in order to complete the Junior Cycle or the Leaving Certificate. In that context, the most recent curricular changes at primary and junior cycle level have emphasised not only the importance of learning both languages but also the wider benefits of bilingualism. The development of these new language curricula reflects my department’s reassertion of its commitment to the Irish language and to progressing the language education related actions of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030.

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