Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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160. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the costs of implementing the initial teacher elements of the 20- year Irish strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18536/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The 20 year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010 -2030 contains a number of actions relating to initial teacher education (ITE) including the introduction of a new specialisation in Irish-medium primary teaching and a new Irish-medium post primary post graduate ITE programme, changes to the Gaeltacht placement and the retention of up to 20% of places on primary ITE programmes for students of high ability in Irish.

A number of actions have been progressed including changes to the Gaeltacht placement, which has been lengthened to two periods of two weeks for all primary ITE students. Initial teacher education providers have responsibility for quality assuring the content, teaching and assessment of the Gaeltacht element of ITE programmes. Costs to the ITE providers in undertaking this role are not available. Changes to the Gaeltacht Entry Scheme, under which 10% of places on the primary Bachelor of Education programme are reserved, are also under consideration in my Department.

My Department’s Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022 (the Policy), published in October 2016, contains measures which will support the implementation of the teacher education elements of the 20 year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030. Measures in the policy to improve the quality of teaching through Irish include the development of a new Irish-medium ITE programme for primary teachers, along with other plans to strengthen the supply of Irish-medium post-primary teachers from the existing ITE provider. While progress on the implementation of these measures has commenced, exact costs in relation to their implementation cannot be provided at this time.

This Government is committed to supporting the overall thrust of the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 and will deliver on the achievable goals and targets proposed in line with available resources.