Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 January 2012
199 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied that there are sufficient education resources in Irish for the purposes of the social, personal and health education programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4884/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraSubstantial 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. These resources will be expanded progressively over time. 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.
The following publications are available in English and Irish on SPHE:
All syllabuses, guidelines and circulars on my Department's website: www.education.ie.
Software, teaching materials and textbooks promoted by COGG: www.cogg.ie.
TRUST — RSE Senior Cycle Resource (publicised through the SPHE website www.sphe.ie).
In addition, an Irish version of the resource b4udecide.ie, a Relationships and Sexuality Education Resource Materials produced for Teachers and Youth Workers by the Crisis Pregnancy Agency (www.crisispregnancy.ie) will be sent to Irish-medium schools shortly.
