§ Mr. Mallonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will specify what measures he is taking to promote the Irish language.
§ Mr. ScottThe Government responds to demand for the use of Irish through the education system and through support for the arts. Approximately 20,000 school pupils study Irish. 1,644 took 'O' Level and 269 'A' Level in 1986. Bunscoil Ghaelach, where teaching is wholly in Irish, is recognised as a grant-aided school by the Department of Education for Northern Ireland. A special Irish unit has been approved at Steelstown primary school, Londonderry. The Department of Education has a specialist Irish language school inspector. Colleges of further education and universities provide courses in Irish language and literature.
In addition, the Arts Council for Northern Ireland supports traditional cultural activities and Irish language publications of literary merit.
The Government are ready to consider other measures where an appropriate level of demand for the use of the Irish language is established.