Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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219. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for second level schools in Gaeltacht areas that as part of plean na Gaeilge proposals of the roinn na Gaeltachta strategy for language improvement opt for tumoideachas teaching; his further plans for those students and their parents who do not wish to be part of this proposed change under tumoideachas especially if they are part of a sole second level school catchment area; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in some schools this tumoideachas decision will be reversing a teaching language tradition of over 50 years whereby English was the primary teaching language in those schools; the provision he has made for those students who have expressed a desire and their right to be taught through English in line with many years of traditional practice; if, in circumstances that in rural areas in which only one second level school exists and if that school is deciding to embark on tumoideachas, provision will be made for those students who wish to be taught through the medium of English in line with existing practice and rights of both parents and students in those areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22493/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Education and Skills’ Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022 sets out a comprehensive strategy for education in the Gaeltacht. This Policy, which was published in October 2016, following widespread public consultation is a comprehensive policy which sets out a wide range of actions that are consistent with the Government’s 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 and is one of the Department’s commitments included in its Action Plan for Education 2016–2019.The phased implementation of this Policy commenced in 2017.

The overarching goal of the Policyis to ensure the availability of a high quality and relevant Irish-medium education in Gaeltacht schools and, in this way, to support and encourage the use of Irish in Gaeltacht communities. The focus of the Department’s Policy will be on strengthening Irish-medium education in existing schools in a manner that will provide for the differing and distinctive needs of both native speakers and learners of Irish. The Policy also supports the implementation of immersion education (tumoideachas).

Circulars 0034/2017 and 0022/2018 set out the process involved in the Gaeltacht School Recognition Schemefor post-primary schools in the Gaeltacht. These schools were invited to express an interest in the Scheme and were required to involve the school community in the decision-making process involved. 27 of the possible 28 post-primary schools located in Gaeltacht language-planning areas have expressed an interest in the Scheme to date. A further opportunity has been provided to any remaining school in the Gaeltacht to participate in the Scheme, following consultation with their school community, so that the school can access the additional supports available to strengthen the quality of Irish-medium education.

The criteria for recognition as a Gaeltacht School includes a requirement for schools to develop a whole-school action plan for improvement to set out how the school will, on a phased basis, to take steps necessary to ensure the use of Irish as the language of communication, instruction and socialisation within the school. The school is also required to promote the benefits of learning Irish and learning through Irish to the school community. The specific content of these plans is a matter for each individual school to consider as it applies to its own unique sociolinguistic context and school community.

In the case of schools not opting to participate in the Scheme, such schools will continue to access the supports that are available for other English-medium schools with similar enrolments. The supports provided under the Gaeltacht Schools Recognition Scheme and the Policy on Gaeltacht Education are additional to this.

Parallel provision of Irish-medium and English-medium educational provision is already available in some Gaeltacht areas, particularly those that are immediately adjacent to areas not designated as within the boundaries of the Gaeltacht. As highlighted in the Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022, it is not intended during the lifetime of this Policy to extend parallel provision to Gaeltacht areas where such is not currently available.