Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

176. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the way she will work with her colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, to ensure parents can access second level education through Irish, especially in areas with proven demand for Gaelscoileanna. [31291/16]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 611 of 31May 2016 in relation to this matter. As set out on that reply, the question of access to second-level education through Irish is primarily a matter for the Department of Education and Skills.

In the context of its responsibility for coordinating the implementation of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030, however, my Department works in close cooperation with a number of key stakeholders, including the Department of Education and Skills. In that regard, my Department maintains regular contact with these stakeholders with regard to progressing the implementation of a number of important measures, including educational measures, under the Strategy.

Given the critical role of education in achieving the objectives detailed in the 20-Year Strategy, I can assure the Deputy that this close co-operation will continue to be a priority and I look forward to further engagement with my colleague, Richard Bruton, TD, Minister for Education and Skills, in relation to these matters.

In this regard, I should say that the Cabinet Committee on Arts, Irish, the Gaeltacht and the Islands is working to ensure coherence and focus in the range of activities, both ongoing and in planning, to support and promote the Irish language within the wider context of national identity, culture and creativity. I am pleased to be a member of that Committee and I look forward to working with my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, within that framework. Indeed, I am particularly pleased that he will shortly publish his new Policy on Gaeltacht Education, which will set out how the education system will contribute to supporting and promoting the future use of Irish as a living indigenous language in the Gaeltacht. I know that this policy has been the subject of extensive consultation with the various stakeholders – including my own Department - and I am confident that it will be widely welcomed.