Enda Kenny
Ceist:213 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the proportion of his Department's budget devoted to the teaching of the Irish language in all its forms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5411/00]
Written Answers. - Teaching of Irish.
Enda Kenny
Ceist:215 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of hours devoted to the teaching of the Irish language on an annual basis in primary and second level schools; the actual cost of time spent teaching Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5413/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 213 and 215 together.
The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available or easily accessible and would require an inordinate amount of official time to collate which could not be justified at the present time.
Enda Kenny
Ceist:214 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the studies, if any, he has carried out on the effectiveness of current teaching methods of the Irish language in the context of it being preserved and strengthened; the comparisons, if any, between this and other continental languages in terms of effectiveness; his views on whether television has an important role to play in the fostering of understanding and love of the language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5412/00]
Institiúid Teangeolaíochta Éireann has been engaged in a continuous programme of research on the teaching and learning of Irish at primary level for many years. Much of the work has been conducted in association with the primary inspectorate. A major report on ten years of this research by Dr. John Harris and Ms Lelia Murtagh was published by ITE last May.
Materials specially designed for teaching Irish at primary level using a communicative approach were developed by Dr. Harris and his colleagues and were tested out by a large group of teachers over a two year period. The results of this study, which was commissioned by the NCCA, were used in the development of the revised curriculum for Irish in primary school. The communicative teaching materials developed in the course of the project were published as part of a research report by ITE and are being used in many schools at present.
Other research on ways of supporting and involving parents in their children's learning of Irish at primary level is continuing in ITE at present.
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment is responsible for the development and review of syllabi for primary and post-primary schools. In carrying out this work, the council draws on the experience and specialist knowledge of teachers, university personnel, educational managers and parents. It also draws on the findings of up to date research.
A special working group, chaired by an assistant chief inspector of my Department, has been established to review the present situation in relation to Irish at junior cycle. It will have regard to student interest and motivation in Irish; teaching and learning approaches to Irish and the societal influence impacting on the learning and teaching of Irish. It will conduct research, draw conclusions and make recommendations with a view to ensuring standards of Irish at junior cycle, foundation and ordinary levels, are such that Irish continues as a living language.
The revised syllabus in Irish for primary schools and syllabi at second level are such that authentic materials drawn from such sources as television, radio, newspapers and magazines can be used to good effect in learning and teaching the language. As with any language, progress in the learning of Irish would be greatly enhanced by the wider use of the language in everyday life and by the existence of a supportive community environment. The availability of television programmes in Irish is widely recognised as being supportive, particularly when they take account of young people's needs, interests and language competencies.
While the Irish syllabi are underpinned by the same principles as those pertaining to the other modern language syllabi taught in our schools, my Department has not carried out a study comparing Irish with those languages.