Vol. 566 No. 1
298 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science the arrangements being made to provide courses in Irish for teachers trained outside Ireland who wish to fully qualify within the education system here; if his Department has funded the current course in St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra; if further courses will be held in the future; and if interested parties will be advised of the availability of such courses. [11536/03]
Drumcondra education centre offers a course to teachers trained outside Ireland who wish to sit for the scrúdú le haghaidh cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge as part of its local course programme. Funding towards the running of this course, among others, would have been provided by the Department of Education and Science. Schools within the Drumcondra education centre's catchment area were notified of scheduled scrúdú le haghaidh cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge courses in September last. The centre received a total of 80 applications for the 2002-03 course and all applicants were facilitated. Also, on request from a group of teachers with very little Irish, Drumcondra education centre has commenced a pilot course which when completed will enable the participants to attend an SCG course. The question of future course provision is a matter for decision by Drumcondra Education Centre and would be influenced by the level of demand for such courses.
