Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 November 2009
482 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if all books required for the second level curriculum and second level courses are available in Irish for students attending all Irish second level schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41739/09]
Amharc ar fhreagraApart from a small number of prescribed texts at second-level, mainly in the case of language subjects, decisions on which textbooks to use in first and second-level schools are taken at school level. My Department does not generally approve, commission, sponsor or endorse educational text-books. Books are commissioned and published by educational publishers, and schools select their books from those available from a number of publishers
Substantial progress has been made in the provision of textbooks and resources specifically for use in Gaeltacht and other all-Irish schools since An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta was set up in 2002. An Chomhairle was established to co-ordinate the provision of textbooks and aids to support Irish, to advise on policies relating to Irish in schools generally and in all-Irish and Gaeltacht schools, to provide support services through the medium of Irish and to undertake research in this area.
An Chomhairle works closely with An Gúm and other agencies to address the deficit in Irish medium resources and materials. It has published an extensive resource directory on its website (www.cogg.ie) on materials and resources now available to support the teaching of Irish in the curriculum, and the teaching of other subjects through Irish, across primary and post primary schools. A complete list of Teaching Aids and Resources has also been sent to Gaeltacht schools and Gaelscoileanna, and a mobile library van provides demonstrations to schools of the resources available.
With the exception of language subjects, some school text-books and other resource materials are available in Irish for the majority of subjects for Junior and Leaving Certificate. At Junior cycle, the subjects for which textbooks in Irish are not available at present include Art Craft and Design, Ancient Greek, Italian, Hebrew Studies, Classical Studies, Technology, Art Craft and Design, and Music. At senior cycle, the subjects for which textbooks are not available are French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Japanese, Arabic, Latin, Ancient Greek, Hebrew Studies, Classical Studies, Chemistry, Agricultural Science, Engineering, Construction, Technology, Design and Communication Graphics and Accounting. In 2009, my Department allocated a budget of €1.234 million to An Chomhairle.
