HC Deb 11 February 1997 vol 290 cc165-6W
Mr. Llwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the Irish medium postgraduate certificate of education courses and stage one of the Irish medium B.Ed. course have been accredited by the Department of Education for Northern Ireland and validated by the Queen's university of Belfast. [14483]

Mr. Ancram

The courses have been validated by the Queen's university of Belfast. They do not require accreditation by the Department of Education for Northern Ireland.

Mr. Llwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the expenditure to date on the development of the new Irish language medium B.Ed. and postgraduate certificate of education courses at St. Mary's college, Belfast; and if he will make a statement. [14412]

Mr. Ancram

A total of £44,586. The courses are being developed to meet the needs of Irish medium schools.

Mr. Llwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many of the six stage one modules of the new Irish medium B.Ed. courses at St. Mary's college, Belfast, have been specially designed for Irish medium teaching; and what percentage of each module is taught through the medium of Irish. [14411]

Mr. Ancram

All six. The percentages areTwo main subject modules: 100 per cent. Two curriculum studies modules: 0 to 100 per cent. depending on the subject Two education studies modules: 5 per cent.

Mr. Llwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who is the director responsible for developing Irish language medium B.Ed. and postgraduate certificate of education courses at St. Mary's college, Belfast; and what advisory and consultative structures are in place involving Irish medium schools and the Department of Education for Northern Ireland in the development of these courses. [14423]

Mr. Ancram

The college principal. The college has responsibility for developing both courses in consultation with Irish medium schools, other interest groups and the Department of Education for Northern Ireland.

Mr. Llwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many of the new Irish-medium postgraduate certificate of education courses at St. Mary's college, Belfast, have been specially designed for Irish medium teaching; and what percentage of the whole course is taught through the medium of Irish. [14413]

Mr. Ancram

The answer is all, and approximately 20 per cent.