MAJOR changes in the way Irish is taught in schools have been called for by the Progressive Democrats in a new policy document.
The party's TD for Galway West, Mr Robert Molloy, said yesterday that the State had devoted enormous resources to the promotion of the language over the past 75 years but had little to show for it. "A recent survey by Bord na Gaeilge found that almost four Irish adults in five describe themselves as having little or no ability to speak Irish.
Mr Molloy was speaking at the launch of the document, "A new deal for the Irish Language" at Tostal na Gaeilge in Galway. He called for a number of initiatives to improve the teaching of Irish including modernising the curriculum, emphasising the spoken language, teaching Irish to children of pre school age and ensuring that the Department of Education adopt a much more positive approach to the promotion of "gaelscoileanna".
He added that the teaching of Irish in schools should be complemented by educational programmes on television, linked directly to the school curriculum, and all Irish teachers should have the appropriate qualifications in the language.
Mr Molloy also called for increased use of Irish in political life, particularly in the Oireachtas, in business and commercial life and in public administration.