Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 February 2012
109 Deputy Liam Twomey asked the Minister for Education and Skills his best estimate of the cost to the Exchequer of teaching Irish in our primary and secondary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8741/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraOnly a small element of the costs of teaching Irish can be identified separately. These include the outlay on professional development of teachers provided at second level through the Seirbhís Tacaíochta Dara Leibhéal don Ghaeilge, €832,500 p.a, and the grant paid to An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta for the development of resources and materials, advice and research (€1.6m in 2011 and €1.75m in 2012). At primary level, professional development is provided by the Professional Development Service for Teachers, but the costs of Irish cannot be identified separately.
The main areas of expenditure on Irish are the overall costs of teacher salaries and the grants paid for the running costs of schools. When the curriculum time devoted to Irish and participation levels in Irish relative to other subjects are apportioned, the estimated annual outlay in 2011 on Irish at primary and second level was €522.8m excluding capital costs, and €573.7m including capital costs.
