Irish Languages (Hansard, 17 November 1992)

§ Mr. Hanley

[holding answer 9 November 1992]: Details of the number of pupils studying Irish in individual schools are not available. However, on the basis of a 10 per cent. sample survey relating to those schools which offered Irish as a subject in the 1988–89 academic year, it has been estimated that 26,210 were studying Irish. Those schools are listed in the annex.

There are in addition two grant-aided primary schools which teach through the medium of Irish and an Irish medium unit in an English medium primary school with a total enrolment of 648 in September 1992.

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland provides grants for relevant projects and activities involving the Irish language—for example, in the fields of drama and literature. No information is available centrally as to the numbers participating in these activities.

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The Ultach trust was established with Government support in 1989 to widen appreciation of the contribution which the Irish language makes to the cultural heritage of Northern Ireland and to increase knowledge of the language throughout the community. In 1991–92 Ultach supported 64 projects. No information is available centrally as to the numbers participating in these projects.

The origins of placenames project began on I October 1987 and involves a team of 5 academics located in Queen's university. The Project was assigned the following task by the Department of the Environment: to research the origin of all names of settlements and physical features in Northern Ireland appearing on the Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 scale map; to indicate their meaning and to note any historical or other relevant information. The project will enable an authenticated Irish language version to be provided for most of these names."

Currently the Training and Employment Agency's action for community employment scheme assists employment in six projects which promote the Irish language. Information on the number of individuals using these facilities is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

The British Broadcasting Corporation local radio provision includes Irish-medium and bilingual Irish-English magazine programmes and schools programmes which support Irish teaching in English-medium schools. 151W A bilingual series and several Irish-medium and bilingual feature programmes have been broadcast on television. Information on the number of individuals using these facilities is not available.

In the financial year 1991–92 93 prisoners used the educational and translation facilities provided by the prison service.

SCHOOLS OFFERING IRISH LANGUAGE—1988–89

School

Abbey Grammar School, Newry
Assumption Grammar School, Ballynahinch
Carnhill High School, Londonderry
Christian Brothers' Grammar, Omagh
Christian Brothers' Grammar School, Belfast
Christian Brothers' Secondary School, Glengormley
Christian Brothers' Secondary School, Belfast
Convent Grammar School, Enniskillen
Corpus Christi College, Belfast
Cross and Passion College, Ballycastle
Cross and Passion High School, Belfast
Dean Brian Maguire High School. Carrickmore
Dominican College, Portstewart
Dominican College, Belfast
Drumcree High School, Portadown
La Salle Boy's Secondary School, Belfast
Lismore Comprehensive School, Craigavon
Little Flower Girls' Secondary School, Belfast
Loreto College, Coleraine
Loreto Convent Grammar School, Omagh
Our Lady and St. Patrick's College, Knock
Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School, Strabane
Our Lady's High School, Cookstown
Our Lady's Girls' Grammar School
Convent of Mercy, Newry
Rathmore Grammar School, Finaghy
Sacred Heart Girl's Grammar School, Newry
St. Aiden's High School, Enniskillen
St. Aiden's High School, Glenavy
St. Aloysius Secondary School, Cushendall
St. Brechan's High School, Londonderry
St. Brigid's Boys' High School, Armagh
St. Catherine's College, Armagh
St. Cecelia's Secondary School, Londonderry
St. Ciaran's Secondary, Ballygawley
St. Colm's Secondary School, Draperstown
St. Colman's High School, Strabane
St. Colman's College, Newry
St. Colmoille's High School, Crossgar
St. Columb's College, Londonderry
St. Columba's High School, Portaferry
St. Columban's High School, Kilkeel
St. Columbanus's high School, Bangor
St. Comgall's High School, Larne
St. Comgall's Secondary School, Enniskillen
St. Dominic's High School, Belfast
St. Eugene's Secondary School, Castlederg
St. Eugene's Secondary School, Enniskillen
St. Gabriel's Secondary School, Belfast
St. Gemma's Secondary School, Belfast
St. Genevieve's High School, Belfast
St. John's Secondary School, Dromore
St. Joseph's Boys' Secondary School, Newry
St. Joseph's Grammar School, Donaghmore
St. Joseph's High School, Crossmaglen
St. Joseph's High School, Coalisland
St. Joseph's Secondary School, Londonderry
St. Joseph's Secondary School, Plumbridge
St. Louis Grammar School, Ballymena
St. Louis Grammar School, Kilkeel
St. Louise's Comprehensive College, Balfast
St. MacNissi's College, Carnlough
St. Malachy's College, Belfast
St. Malachy's High School, Castlewellan
St. Mary's Convent Grammar School, Magherafelt
St. Mary's Girl's High School, Downpatrick
St. Mary's High School, Limavady
St. Mary's Junior High School, Lurgan
St. Mary's Secondary School, Londonderry
St. Michael's Grammar School, Enniskillen
St. Michael's Senior High School, Lurgan
St. Olcan's Secondary School, Randalstown
St. Patrick's College, Maghera
St. Patrick's and St. Brigid's Secondary School, Claudy
St. Patrick's Boys' Academy, Dungannon
St. Patrick's Boys' Secondary School, Dungannon
St. Patrick's Boys' Secondary School, Omagh
St. Patrick's Girls' Academy, Dungannon
St. Patrick's Girls' Secondary School, Dungannon
St. Patrick's High School, Dungiven
St. Patrick's High School, Ballymena
St. Patrick's High School, Downpatrick
St. Patrick's High School, Banbridge
St. Patrick's High School, Cookstown
St. Patrick's High School, Keady
St. Paul's Junior High School, Lurgan
St. Paul's Secondary School, Kilrea
St. Paul's Secondary School, Bessbrook
St. Peter's Secondary School, Londonderry
St. Pius X Secondary School, Magherafelt
St. Joseph's Boys' Secondary School, Enniskillen
St. Patrick's Grammar, Armagh
Thornhill College Convent of Mercy, Londonderry