Language contradictions raised in Dáil

Sinn Féin Education Spokesperson Seán Crowe  raised his concerns in relation to the Irish Language and its roll out with Minister Ruairí Quinn during the most recent  Dáil Question Time and said that changes in pupil teacher ratios and staffing schedules will greatly impact on Gaeltacht schools and undermine the 20 year Irish Language plan.

Crowe also emphasised the vital and important role that the Gaeltacht and Gaelscoilleana  have in developing and ensuring the long-term viability of the Irish language.

Deputy Crowe said:

“The Minister and the Department of Education and Skills have the lead role in delivering the 20 year plan on the development of the Irish Language yet its budget measures would appear to undermining and hollowing out that very plan.

“Up until now, Gaeltacht schools had a preferential pupil teacher ratio in recognition of the challenges of teaching in Irish medium schools. This reflected the lack of teaching resources available to teachers and the imminent decline of the language.

“It is therefore very worrying that gaelscoileanna are being hit doubly hard with changes in the staffing schedules combined with the ending of the preferential pupil teacher ratio. This is likely to lead to the forced  closure of many Irish language schools and it is a contradiction  that Minister Quinn and his Government colleagues must address.

“Teachers who are proficient in the language have also an essential role helping to ensure the future viability of our native tongue as a vibrant, working, living language.

“I sought clarification on a number of points from the Minister Quinn including an explanation as to why the funding for trainee teachers to attend Irish language courses in the Gaeltacht been cut and an update on how plans progressing for the establishment of an Irish training college.

The Minister didn’t seem to have many answers in relation to these important matters.

“The 20 year plan for the Irish Language is essential for the preparation of teachers to teach Irish at all stages of the continuum and it is equally essential that supports for gaelscoileanna remain in place.”

“The current piecemeal approach that is removing and taking vital supports away from Gaelscoilleana is undermining the Plan and needs to be overturned We need a proactive supportive stratgey  that will safeguard  develope and nurture  the Irish language.The  latest one that is saying one thing and doing opposite.”