Moves to address a longstanding shortfall in the provision of teaching aids through Irish were given a qualified welcome at a weekend conference in Spiddal, Co Galway.
A speaker from Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta (the Gaeltacht schools' organisation), Máire Denvir, told the conference a new statutory council for the sector faced a difficult task in making up for decades of neglect by the Department of Education.
The new 22-person council, An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta, is due to hold its first meeting in Dublin tomorrow.
Ms Denvir said the greatest difficulty faced by Gaeltacht schools was the lack of a specific curriculum for pupils whose first language was Irish. Schools followed the same course and used the same textbooks, regardless of the different linguistic backgrounds of their pupils. The problem had been recognised in a succession of reports but the Department had "done nothing" to address it.
"The schools have got video machines but there were no videos in Irish for the subjects on the curriculum. There is plenty of money available to buy computers at the moment, but where is the software for use in the teaching of history, geography, science or environmental studies through Irish?"
The conference took place during the first Irish language book and reading fair in the Park Lodge Hotel, Spiddal.
A comprehensive calendar of events is planned for Galway city and county this week to mark Seachtain na Gaeilge, the annual drive to encourage people to use their cúpla focal which is organised by Conradh na Gaeilge . The programme includes concerts by Belfast reggae group Bréag, dancing competitions, storytelling and a bowls night "as Gaeilge" at Galway Shopping Centre. For information, tel:( 091) 567824.