Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 May 2016
77. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question Nos 205 of 17 June 2015 and 205 of 10 November 2015, if he has made a decision on the matter or when he expects to make a decision on it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10721/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is aware that the existing Gaeltacht entry scheme to the primary Bachelor of Education allows for the reservation of up to 10% of places in the colleges of education for Gaeltacht applicants. To qualify as a Gaeltacht applicant a person must be resident in an officially designated Gaeltacht area and it must be confirmed that the normal language of the home is Irish. The 20 year strategy for the Irish Language proposes that up to 20% of places in colleges of education would be retained for students educated through Irish in Gaeltacht schools and gaelscoileanna, with students in English medium schools also being eligible, subject to a high performance threshold in Irish in the Leaving Certificate. The Teaching Council has submitted advice on entry requirements to programmes of initial teacher education including the Gaeltacht entry scheme to the Bachelor of Education. The advice is being considered and I expect to make a decision on the matter shortly.
