Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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528. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when a comprehensive plan for Irish language provision in the early years sector as outlined in the Action Plan for the Irish Language 2018 to 2022 will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48888/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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My Department has engaged extensively with both the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and the Department of Education and Skills in agreeing a comprehensive set of actions to be implemented under the Action Plan for the Irish Language 2018 to 2022, launched by the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in June 2018.  This five year action plan sets out a range of agreed actions, with associated timeframes, to be implemented in support of the overarching 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010 to 2030. 

A significant area for action within this action plan relates to the early years, and my Department has committed to a range of actions in this regard in recognition of the importance of the role that early years settings can play in fostering Irish language proficiency and a revitalisation of the Irish language.  The aim of these actions is to build on existing measures, supports and partnerships in the area of Irish-medium early years education and further improve supports and services.

An oversight group has been established by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to oversee the implementation of the actions contained within the five year plan, and my Department is represented on that group. The first meeting of that oversight group has already taken place.  This group will monitor and report on the progress of the plan. 

Furthermore, one of the actions contained within the plan relates specifically to the establishment of a national steering group, comprised of representatives from the relevant departments, agencies and stakeholders, to oversee the implementation of the actions relating to the early years sector.  Arrangements are being made for the initial meeting of this group. 

There is no commitment to publish a further, separate plan in relation to the early years sector, and I am confident that the implementation of the actions contained within the plan will be progressed and monitored through the channels as outlined above.

A Whole of Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families was launched on 19th November, and this ambitious ten year plan contains two actions specifically aimed at supporting the development of the Irish language within the early years sector.  An implementation plan for the actions contained within that Strategy will be published within six months.