Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 May 2023
96. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if she will give consideration to a proposal (details supplied) to overhaul how the Irish language is taught in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25127/23]
View answerMy Department, through a variety of initiatives, continues to promote Irish in the education system and to support Irish-medium education. The Department is contributing to a number of actions in the Government’s 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 and the 5 Year Action Plan 2018 -2022, that highlight the Department’s commitment in this area.
The Irish language curricula at primary and post-primary levels have been comprehensively reviewed in recent years.
Following extensive research and robust consultation processes, a new Primary Language Curriculum was introduced for all stages in primary school from September 2019 and The specifications for Irish at Junior Cycle were introduced in 2017. There are now two specifications for Irish primary and Junior Cycle level: the T1 specification is targeted at students in Irish-medium schools, including Gaeltacht schools, and the T2 specification is aimed at students who use the Irish language as a second language, mainly in schools that operate through the medium of English. The learning outcomes in the specifications for Irish at Junior Cycle provide students with opportunities to build on their Irish language learning experience in primary school and to further enhance and extend their language competences.
The Primary Language Curriculum and specifications for Junior Cycle Irish are based on the principles of a communicative approach to language learning emphasising an integrated approach to the development of all language skills. The development of students’ competence is spoken Irish, including their capacity in spoken production and interaction, is a central part of the specifications.
Building on the developments in Irish language curricular provision at primary and junior cycle, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) published draft T1 and T2 specifications for Leaving Certificate (established) Irish for consultation in February 2021. Following from the Consultation Report on these Draft Specifications the NCCA have paused the work on their development and will undertake further research and hold a series of stakeholder seminars. It is important that there is a robust evidence base on how to proceed, given the diversity of views, and important that stakeholder engagement will continue to be part of this process.
Work on the development of a new policy for Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht is now underway in my Department. The policy on Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht will build on the achievements of the Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022.
The key objectives of the policy are in accordance with the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 and the Programme for Government 2020. These aims include, amongst other things, exploring how opportunities for the establishment of Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí can be increased as part of the patronage process.
A range of supports and initiatives to support teaching and learning are currently underway under the leadership of my department, including those outlined below.
Recognising the importance of Irish for all students and the creation of opportunities for partial immersion in Irish, my department, supported by experts from third level institutions and teacher support services, is piloting a Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) approach to support Irish in English-medium schools and Early Years settings. This three year project aims to improve learner competence, confidence and disposition towards Irish. It is intended to extend participation of more schools over time. The CLIL approach combines the teaching of subjects through the Irish language with learning outcomes for both Irish and the target subject being achieved.
My department also provides funding to support the Gaelbhratach programme at primary and post primary level, and has funded the scheme on an annual basis. Gaelbhratach is a scheme which supports and encourages schools in their efforts to promote the Irish language. My department is supporting Foras na Gaeilge with the production of a new Irish-Irish dictionary which will allow teachers and students working through the medium of Irish to access dictionary explanations through the Irish language which will result in an improved Irish-medium learning experience. The project commenced in 2022 and will take approximately 5 years to complete.
In relation to teacher professional development, the Department, through the support services, offers high quality and relevant continuing professional development (CPD) through the medium of, and in relation to, Gaeilge to teachers and school leaders in a range of pedagogical, curricular, leadership and educational areas. Core CPD and school supports are provided to schools which are operating through the medium of Irish.
The Department funded Support Services:
• Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) and Junior Cycle for Teachers (JCT) (cross sectoral service covering primary and senior cycle at post-primary)
• National Induction Programme for Teachers (NIPT) (primary and post-primary)
• Centre for School Leadership (CSL) (primary and post-primary) and
• An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta & Gaelscolaíochta (COGG)
provide a wide variety of supports to teachers to support teacher in the area of Irish. These include, supports for Newly Qualified Teachers, live and interactive online sessions, sustained school supports, workshops, online resources, summer courses, webinars, whole school days as Gaeilge and in some cases dedicated teams to provide specific areas as Gaeilge.
The Summer Course Programme also encourages the provision of courses which support teachers in the teaching of Gaeilge based on the Primary School Language Curriculum 2019. COGG also provides a Irish language course for teachers to improve their language confidence and capacity to teach Irish or through Irish.
Under the Policy on Gaeltacht Education, to increase the supply of teachers available to teach effectively through the medium of Irish in Gaeltacht schools, two higher education programmes have been established:
• A new Irish-medium Bachelor of Education primary initial teacher education programme commenced in 2019.
• A new blended-Learning Masters in Education on Irish-medium and Gaeltacht Education in 2018.
Education Support Centres across the country also provide several courses in the area of Gaeilge. Additionally, Education Support Centres Ireland (ESCI) is engaging with Marino Institute of Education and NUI Maynooth in relation to a Gaeilge Initiative aimed at improving competencies for teaching and learning of Irish in English medium primary schools.
As part of the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030, my Department has committed to creating opportunities for expanding Irish-medium education outside the Gaeltacht. This is in the context of the announcements on the establishment of 47 new schools from 2019, which affords particular consideration to the establishment of Gaelscoileanna, Gaelcholáistí, and Aonaid Lán-Ghaeilge as part of the patronage process for new schools.
Most new post-primary schools must have a student enrolment capacity of 600 – 1,000 students. A lower threshold of 400 students may apply to Gaelcholáistí, having regard to the alternative of establishing an Irish-medium unit (Aonad) in an English-medium school. This is a potential outcome from the patronage process for new schools established to cater for a demographic need. It is also possible for any post-primary school patron to contact my Department to explore the establishment of an Aonad in an existing school.
In respect of the Dublin 2,4,6 8 area, the year of establishment, patronage model and language of instruction have yet to be determined for the new post-primary schools announced to serve the following school planning areas in the general South Dublin area: Dublin 2_Dublin 4 and Sallynoggin_Killiney_DLR/Cherrywood.
While it is expected that the existing Gaelcholáistí in the general South Dublin area have sufficient school places to accommodate demand in the short term, given the number of new gaelscoileanna which have opened in recent years or are planned to open in this area, my Department is keeping the position under active review as these schools grow and the number of sixth class pupils in gaelscoileanna increases. The opportunities for expansion of provision at existing gaelcholáistí such as Coláiste Eoin and Coláiste Íosagáin is also relevant and the Department is engaging with the school patron of Coláiste Eoin and Coláiste Iosagáin in this regard.
