Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 February 2006
338 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Question No. 450 of 29 November 2005, the details of each of the 25 Irish language courses provided as part of the 2005 summer course programme for primary teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7326/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department funded 25 Irish language courses, involving over 600 participants, which were provided as part of the 2005 summer course programme for primary teachers in line with the requirements of the revised primary curriculum. The 25 Irish language courses can be divided into two main categories: 20 courses had as their focus the teaching of all aspects of Irish in primary classrooms while five other courses were organised under the auspices of the professional development unit of the Irish National Teachers Organisation, INTO, as summer schools in Irish. The summer schools provided an immersion-type course in which teachers had many opportunities to speak Irish as a living language of real communication among themselves in an Irish community and also to become reacquainted with the rich cultural aspects of Irish dance, song and story-telling.
The titles of the 20 curricular related Irish courses are: An Fhís Bheo — Curaclam na Bunscoile; An Ghaeilge mar Abhar Spraoi, 2; An Ghaeilge sa Bhunscoil; Athghabháil na Gaeilge agus Stair na Teanga; Cruinneas an Ghaeilge sa Seomra Ranga; Cúrsa sa Ghaelatacht do Mhúinteoiri Bunscoile; Cúrsa Oiliúna i dteagasc na Gaeilge Chumarsáideach; Daonscoil na Mumhan 2005 — Muinin i dTeagasc na Gaeilge; Filíocht agus Gearrscealaíocht na Gaeilge; Foghlaim.ie; Gaeilge; Gaeilge sa Bhunscoil; Gaeilge, Stair agus Oidhreacht Oileán; Irish Course for Beginners — Scrúdú Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge; Labhairt an Gaeilge — Teagasc Cumarsáideach ag Gach Leibhéal; Modhanna Múinte na Gaeilge; Teanga agus Cultúr na hEireann — Scoil Shamhraidh; Teanga agus Cultúr; and Urscéalaíocht na Gaeilge.
The title of the five summer schools in Irish organised and delivered by the INTO is An Ghaeilge: Cumarsáide, Comhluadar agus Craic, 5. The Deputy may be aware that extra personal vacation, EPV, is granted to such teachers in order to incentivise participants to undertake the learning of Irish in such a manner. My Department also funds the Education Centre Network, 21 full-time centres and nine part-time centres, to deliver local courses based on locally identified needs and Irish language courses form a part of this local course provision.
