Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many copies of the proposals for the teaching of Irish in Irish-medium schools were sent out by the Northern Ireland Curriculum Council; how many schools were consulted; how many questions there were in the consultative proposals to be answered; weeks each school was given to reply to the consultative proposals; what was the closing date for replies; how many schools replied to the consultative proposals; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. MawhinneyCopies were sent to all grant-aided schools and to other bodies. A total of 7,800 copies were issued and 165 responses were received, of which 50 were from teachers or schools. The copies were issued on 19 February and schools were asked to reply by 30 March, a total of six weeks. To assist the analysis of comments, the council issued a proforma which contained 25 questions but respondents were at liberty to comment also on other matters.