Collapse in Gaeilge standards sparks call for review

A DRAMATIC collapse in Irish language skills and understanding among primary pupils has prompted calls for an overhaul of teaching methods.

Education Minister Mary Hanafin has admitted her disappointment at research published yesterday, showing that competence in Irish has almost halved in mainstream schools and has fallen significantly among children being taught in the Gaeltacht.

The study by Trinity College Dublin’s Dr John Harris does, however, show that the decline is less pronounced in Gaelscoileanna since the last major research in 1985.