Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

612. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 528 of 27 November 2018, the location of the two actions relating to the Irish language contained in the whole of Government strategy for babies, young children and their families document; the reason the commitment of a further separate plan for early years Irish language provision which was outlined in the Action Plan for the Irish Language 2018 to 2022 (details supplied) is being denied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50953/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The two actions contained within the recently launched Whole of Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families 2019-2028 specifically aimed at supporting the development of the Irish language within the early years sector are contained within Goal C 'Positive play-based early learning'. Objective 8 within this goal relates to 'Affordable, high-quality Early Learning and Care' and contains the following two actions:

- Introduce measures to ensure that children in Gaeltacht areas have access to Irish-medium ELC provision (Strategic Action 8.2; page 145).

- Develop mechanisms to provide Irish-language supports to ELC provision where there are high proportions of children who are learning through the medium of Irish (Strategic Action 8.3; page 147).

The Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht will lead on the delivery of the first action outlined above, as it relates to children in Gaeltacht areas. My Department will lead on the delivery of the second action, which very much links in with our commitments under the Irish Language Action Plan 2018-2022 to improve supports and services in the area of Irish-medium early years education.

As you are aware, one of the commitments contained within the Irish Language action plan relates to the creation of two Irish language early years posts to further the development of Irish language provision in the early years sector in non-Gaeltacht areas. This will include the development of a comprehensive plan for this sector. This plan will be developed through engagement with the relevant stakeholders within the sector, both within and outside the Gaeltacht. There are no plans at present to publish this plan, however it will be utilised to inform the way in which we can effectively build on existing supports, and identify and develop new initiatives, to advance the overall implementation of the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language. As outlined in Parliamentary Question No. 528 of 27 November 2018, a national oversight group will oversee the implementation of this plan and the actions contained within the five year action plan as they relate to the early years sector.