Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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422. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an intradepartmental working group established in regard to planning for the development of a new policy for Irish-medium education outside the Gaeltacht; the meeting schedule for 2022; the expected timeframe for the completion of the work programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16164/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Planning work is under way in my Department in relation to the development of a new policy for Irish-medium Education outside of Gaeltacht areas. An intradepartmental working group was established within my Department in 2021 to progress this work. This working group has met on a monthly basis since its establishment.

The working group has focused on developing a consultation process to encourage the widespread participation of interested parties to inform the policy development process. It will also oversee the carrying out of a review of national and international literature. The working group will continue to meet regularly.

I am looking forward to progressing this important work and building on the positive results being achieved already in the implementation of the Policy on Gaeltacht Education to strengthen Irish-medium education. I am also looking forward to working with relevant interested parties to progress the various steps that are necessary to develop the policy.