83. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will consider introducing a three-week mandatory Gaeltacht course for every student studying Irish at leaving certificate level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40612/25]

Sentiment score: 0.03

I will touch on the inability of so many Irish people to converse in our national language on leaving secondary school after 14 years of education. This is obviously something a lot of people talk about but I am concerned about whether we are actually addressing it and enhancing the ability of all of us to communicate as Gaeilge. Will the Minister consider introducing a three-week mandatory Gaeltacht course for every leaving certificate student studying Gaeilge?

Sentiment score: 0.04

After 14 years of education, it seems like the whole purpose is to get to the leaving certificate exam and to get as many points as possible out of it. That is the sense among a lot of students when they leave school. The instant the oral is over and the paper is written, they feel they are finished with Irish and stop practising it. The love of it and the whole point of why they are studying it have not been introduced. I am concerned about the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment proposal to reduce the Irish oral exam to 35% from 40%. It should be going in the opposite direction to 50%. When students leave after studying Gaeilge for so many years, they should have a confidence in speaking Irish, similar to the way students who, after five or six years studying German, French or Spanish, would be confident to attempt a conversation in those languages. Enhancing the oral exam on that side would be a very positive thing.

Sentiment score: 0.25

The Minister has lined up my final point perfectly in terms of immersive experiences. Gaeltacht courses for student teachers are free for primary teachers but are costing post-primary teachers about €2,000 when they have to do them. It has been raised with me numerous times in Mary Immaculate College in Thurles by the staff and particularly by the students there. It is an obstacle for students when they are looking at a course or considering what subjects they would like to teach at the end of their college education. It is an extra financial barrier that they would not have to face if they chose business, maths or something else. I have asked a good few times why the post-primary teachers cannot get that free course while the primary teachers can. The answer coming back from the Department is that they have other options, namely, they could go to a Gaelcholáiste or do different things. As the Minister just said, though, the immersive experience is by far the most beneficial. We need to look at offering free fees for summer Gaeltacht courses for post-primary teachers.

Sentiment score: 0.21