Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 December 2007
409 Deputy Jackie Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Science when a survey on parent and student views on the all Irish language policy in the new community school (details supplied) in County Kerry will be undertaken; and when the results will be available. [34999/07]
Amharc ar fhreagra425 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35179/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take questions Nos. 409 and 425 together.
In late October, I announced my intention to survey all parents and students in Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne to establish the level and range of provision being sought through Irish or English that will cater for the spectrum of student needs. I requested the Commission on School Accommodation to conduct the survey.
The Commission on School Accommodation formally requested the Board of Management of the school to provide the names and addresses of parents and students in the school to whom the survey would be distributed. This followed a meeting between the Commission and the school authorities at their request.
However, the school authorities have now indicated that they believe that there is a legal difficulty under the Data Protection Act in supplying the Commission with the names and addresses as requested. I have decided, therefore, to place public notice advertisements in local and national newspapers this week inviting parents of students in Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne to write to the Commission on School Accommodation to obtain the survey form.
This will give parents of students attending Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne and the students themselves an opportunity to directly express their views and preferences in relation to the language used in tuition and in other school activities during the course of their post-primary education.
I wish to reiterate that, in relation to Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, I am anxious to ensure that the school continues to guarantee an education through the medium of Irish to those students from the Gaeltacht and from Irish speaking homes who wish to be educated through the medium of Irish. Equally I am anxious that to the greatest extent possible the new Community School should make a contribution to maintenance of Irish as the primary community language.
However, provision also has to be made for those who have no Irish at all or those who, because their Irish is too weak, are unable to learn in classes conducted exclusively through the medium of Irish.
