Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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522. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on efforts to develop an Irish language policy for the post-Leaving Certificate and tertiary education system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52831/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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My Department is represented on a new Steering Committee established by the Department of Education to support the development of a Policy on Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht. This group will provide oversight, guidance and direction on the development of the Policy. The Policy will contribute towards achieving the aims of the government's 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language.

As of 2021/22 there were 59 courses in HE delivering Irish language tuition or delivered through the medium of Irish, a total of 1,779 students. This includes students who are recorded as taking Irish language as a subject as part of their course and also includes courses in Teacher Training colleges, but excludes courses in Irish Studies, Irish history, folklore, music/dance and the likes.

Specific support is provided for the development of Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge in NUIG. The Acadamh is a research and educational institution which is intended to promote and develop Irish-medium education. It is headquartered in NUIG’s main Galway City campus, but also has campuses in the Ceathrú Rua and Carna in Connemara, and in the Doirí Beaga in Gaoth Dobhair, Donegal.

The Deputy may wish to know we have developed a new scheme called Gníomhaí Gaeilge in collaboration with the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) and the Higher Education Authority (HEA). The scheme is supported by the HEA with €150,000 in funding over a period of 3 years. Each student will be assigned a mentor and support will be provided by the Irish Association and Students Union with their work plan agreed on, at the start of the year. As well as this there will be Gníomhaí Gaeilge awards based on the progress of their work plan, at the end of the year. There will be Gníomhaí Gaeilge Certificates for each student active in the scheme.