Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Department is taking a staged approach to developing a comprehensive policy for the Irish language from preschool through to teacher education. There are three strands to this work as it relates to the Department of Education, namely the policy on Gaeltacht education, the policy on Irish-medium education outside the Gaeltacht, and the work commencing on a policy framework and action plan to support Irish in English-medium schools.

Significant progress has been made by my Department in implementing the policy on Gaeltacht education. Since its publication, the policy has contributed to strengthening the delivery of Irish-medium education in Gaeltacht areas. Substantial support has been provided to Gaeltacht schools through the Gaeltacht school recognition scheme. Language-based criteria are set out for schools within the scheme to ensure they are providing a high standard of education through the medium of Irish. An Irish-medium bachelor of education, BEd and masters in education, MEd, in Irish-medium and Gaeltacht education have been established under the policy.

The new policy on Irish-medium education outside the Gaeltacht will build on the achievements of the policy on Gaeltacht education. In developing this new policy, a public consultation process was conducted to gather the views of stakeholders. SEALBHÚ, a research centre in Dublin City University, DCU, has carried out an analysis of the information gathered throughout the consultation. SEALBHÚ was also commissioned to undertake a review of international literature focusing on teaching through minority languages. Insights gleaned from the consultation process and the research undertaken will inform the development of the new policy on Irish-medium education outside the Gaeltacht.

A new unit was recently established within my Department with a remit relating to the Irish language in English-medium schools. The policy framework and action plan to be developed by the new unit will address particular key strategic challenge points where immediate and tangible action is likely to make a difference within a reasonable period. The policy framework and action plan will be informed by national and international research and by extensive consultation with stakeholders at national and school level.

In parallel to the work being carried out by my Department, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is currently developing a national plan on Irish language provision in early learning care and school-age childcare. The Departments are working closely together to ensure all policies are in alignment. Taken together, these policies and initiatives are important steps towards achieving our programme for Government commitment.

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