Coughlan hints at further changes to Leaving Cert Irish

CHANGES may be considered to a new Irish Leaving Certificate curriculum which places more emphasis on the spoken language because of anger in all-Irish schools, Education Minister Mary Coughlan has hinted.

The Tánaiste was responding to concerns raised by cabinet colleague Pat Carey about a reduced level of literature and prose in the revised course, which will be taught from next autumn and examined at Leaving Certificate level from 2012.

In an effort to boost student interest and oral proficiency in the language, previous education minister Mary Hanafin announced in 2007 that increased marks would be awarded for oral Irish in state exams.