School Curriculum

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 June 2012

Thursday, 7 June 2012

Ceisteanna (62)

Derek Nolan

Ceist:

61 Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to issue a circular on the teaching of the English language in Gaeltacht schools; the reason one has not been issued up to now; the form the circular will take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27574/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Ruairí Quinn)

I do not have any plans at present to issue a circular on the teaching of English in Gaeltacht schools specifically. My Department issued a Circular (56/2011) to primary schools regarding the implementation of the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy in November 2011 and this may be accessed on the website of my Department. This circular to primary schools covered issues relating to time for the teaching of literacy (in English and Irish), assessment and a number of other related issues. The Department will issue a similar Circular to post-primary schools in the near future. The Circular to primary schools applied to all primary schools, both within and outside the Gaeltacht. The Circular to post-primary schools will also apply to all schools.