Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta. Tuigim an tábhacht atá ag baint leis an nGaelainn. Ní hamháin sin ach táimid ag déanamh gach iarracht sa Roinn an Ghaelainn a chaomhnú agus í a chur chun cinn. I have already outlined our support to ensure we are progressing the Irish language. We took the staged stance here. Great progress has been made on the provision of Irish within the Gaeltacht areas. We have, as has been outlined, the need for very strong fluency. We have the BEd, the MEd and the teaching resources that are being provided for the máistir gairmiúil san oideachas, the professional MEd. A significant number of schools have been awared Gaeltacht recognition status.

The second stage is the unit in the Department dedicated to the promotion of Irish in English-medium schools. That is focused on how to support teachers teaching Irish in English-medium schools. The unit will also look at how to support undergraduates, which is important, in the learning and, ultimately, the teaching of Irish. There will be a public consultation on that in the coming year. The final point is the other aspect of concerning preschool and early years is a matter for the Department of children. We are working very closely with it and it is doing a body of work on that as well.

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