Language and literacy in Irish-medium primary schools

NCCA work in this area

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) initiated a consultation on the development of children’s language and literacy in Irish-medium primary schools during 2006. The NCCA also commissioned a review of literature on different approaches to introducing language and literacy in immersion, partial immersion and bilingual school settings.

Following the consultation, the NCCA issued advice to the Minister at the end of January 2007.

Download the consultation document, report, review of literature and the NCCA's advice to the Minister from the table below.

Current status

In January 2010, the Department of Education and Science (DES) announced that it is proposing to introduce a regulation that will prescribe the primary curriculum. 

The regulation will state that Irish-medium schools may delay the teaching of English up to the end of the first term of senior infants, subject to the approval of the school’s board of management and following consultation with the patron, teachers and parents’ association.  However, Irish-medium schools will be required to provide provision for English for children whose parents request it.

It is expected that the legislation will be in effect from September 2010.