Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yes, we are seeking to do that. That is the purpose of the engagement between the Department of children and ourselves. We are working together. Many of our primary and post-primary initiatives are making their way into early years education. I refer to things like the DEIS programme, the extension of which is being considered. There is no reason that cannot happen language-wise. I agree that the earlier the children have this opportunity, the better it is all around.

As the Deputy is aware, there were calls for a review of the T1 and T2 structure. There was an ongoing review there. There will also be a new curriculum for the redesigned senior cycle with reimagining and redevelopment. The new curriculum will come out in stages. The new Irish curriculum is due to come in the final tranche of this in 2028. In the interim, the work around T1 and T2 is ongoing. As I said, we have the new curriculum coming on stream also. I know that the Deputy has a very strong view as regards the points raised on the question of T1 and T2. It is for that reason that the review will look at international research and all other research. That will inform the thinking going forward.

On the work we are doing on teacher supply, the Deputy will be aware of programmes like the Baitsiléir san Oideachas Trí Mheán na Gaeilge, where 30 places are being provided by the Department. The masters course is also being provided for. We are running an upskilling course in Irish beginning in January 2025, free of charge, to those who wish to participate in it. Equally, over the summer months, more than 330 teachers availed of upskilling through an Irish course. We will be doing something similar at post-primary level going forward. We are very conscious of the need to ensure in the first instance that we are making provision for sufficiency of teachers going forward and that we are supporting teachers who are in place. On that point, there is a dedicated Irish-language unit within the Department to support teaching in Irish- and English-medium schools. We are happy to look at more resources. There is a dedicated Gael-aonad in Oide, which is the wing of the Department that provides ongoing training and upskilling for staff. A number of initiatives have been brought in and there will be more as we go forward.

On the framework, I just want to say that it is just that - a framework. We had this discussion earlier with Deputy Connolly. It is a framework and will be very different in policy. I have not received that yet but I will receive it in due course.

I will make a point around Irish-medium education. When two new primary schools are coming on stream and there is no provision for Irish education, one of those schools will be deemed an Irish-medium provision. There are also policies in place which would support this education where there is an absence of the provision of Irish-medium education.

There was one further point about the ETBs. That was referred to earlier when I said it is important if one is dealing with a Gaelscoil or a Gaelcholáiste that the proficiency in Irish is there. Obviously, that is more than desirable. Anybody who is in that role and dealing directly in that respect should have provision made to support them. If teachers do not have proficiency in Irish, they will have a means of upgrading their proficiency in Irish. I believe the Deputy is looking for an entire dedicated ETB. Is that the case?