asked the Minister for Education whether he proposes to arrange for the broadcasting of lessons to schools especially for the purpose of fostering a high uniform standard of Irish throughout the country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Broadcasting of Lessons to Schools.
The question of arranging for the broadcasting of lessons to schools has been more than once under consideration in the Department. As a result of an exhaustive survey of the position I have come to the conclusion that the educational benefits which might accrue from radio-broadcasting for schools would not be commensurate with the cost involved nor with the amount of time and energy which would have to be expended in organising and selecting suitable and acceptable programmes.
I believe that the best way to foster a high uniform standard of Irish throughout the country is to ensure that the teachers engaged in the various types of schools shall have reached a high level of qualification in the language, both from the point of view of knowledge and of capacity to impart it. Everything possible is being done to realise that ideal.
Is the Minister aware that broadcasting is used with great effect for educational purposes in other countries and even in the Six Counties?
Both the system and the effect have been carefully examined into and I am not convinced that the effect would be worth the amount of money which would be involved.
Will the Minister mention how much money would be involved?
It would depend upon what you propose. I think the Deputy is aware that when it was investigated some time ago it was considered that for a short programme it would cost about £60,000 to equip the primary schools and about £13,000 a year for the Radio Eireann end of it for organising, cost of fees and personnel of one kind or another.
Does not the Minister think that it would be worth spending that much money in using it as effectively as it is used in other countries for other educational purposes?
Both the conditions under which it would have to be done and the effect have been very carefully examined and I am left unconvinced that the result which would be achieved would be worth either the trouble or the money under present circumstances.
Could the Minister indicate if his predecessor had any plan in this connection when he left office?
He had.