Cavan Councillor, Áine Smith, has asked for an 'overhaul' to the way in which the Irish language is being taught in primary schools The local area representative made the calls at a recent meeting of the local authority after putting forward a motion that received unanimous support from elected members.
Speaking to Northern Sound, Cllr Smith said more needs to be done nationally to promote the Irish language given its 'special status' here. She says that the focus needs to be on conversational Irish, not on the language as a subject.
Cllr Smith added that while more needs to be done, "huge strides" as Gaeilge have been made across Cavan and Monaghan. "I have to compliment the Gaelscoileanna and in Monaghan there are a number of Gaelscoileanna and the secondary school - Coláiste Oiriall - and they are making huge strides when it comes to the Irish language.
Here in Cavan we have Gaelscoil Bhréifne and indeed there are a lot of primary schools that put a lot of effort into the Irish language. If it is used more as a language rather than a subject, when students arrive into second-level education, it will be that bit easier for them," said Cllr Smith.
