Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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424. 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 that parents can access second level education through Irish, especially in areas with proven demand for gaelscoileanna. [37067/16]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I refer the Deputy to replies to previous Parliamentary Questions in relation to this matter. As stated in these replies, 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 20-Year 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 continuing with the very positive engagement with my colleague, Richard Bruton, TD, Minister for Education and Skills, in relation to these matters. Indeed, I was particularly pleased to participate with the Taoiseach and Minister Bruton at the launch on 28 October last in An Cheathrú Rua of the new Policy on Gaeltacht Education, which sets out how the education system will contribute to supporting and promoting the future use of Irish as a living indigenous language in the Gaeltacht. The Deputy will be aware that this policy, which was the subject of an extensive consultation process in which my own Department worked closely with the Department of Education and Skills, has been widely welcomed.