Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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32. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in the context of the welcome plans for Gaeltacht education launched recently by the Minister for Education and Skills, if his Department in playing a role in the development of a new approach for Gaeltacht schools by examining preschool facilities in Gaeltacht communities, in recognition of the impact preschool education through the Irish language will have on subsequent formal education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20404/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Policy Proposals for Educational Provision in Gaeltacht Areas, which was launched recently by the Minister for Education and Skills, builds on the earlier Gaeltacht Review.

The policy proposals include strengthening early years educational provision by:

a)exploring how naíonraí could be accommodated on the site of primary schools;

b)ensuring that practitioners in naíonraí have sufficient competence in the language and an understanding of language pedagogy including immersion education in early years educational settings; and

c)enhancing the qualifications and continuing professional development opportunities available to practitioners working in the naíonraí.

There is a public consultation on the policy proposals put forward and I hope that the early years sector will make their views known on the proposals relating to early years educational provision. I do not intend to pre-empt this public consultation process by committing my Department to examining pre-school facilities in Gaeltacht communities.