Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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376. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on efforts to develop an Irish language policy for the education system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52830/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Work on the development of a new policy on Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht is now underway in my Department. This policy will build on the achievements of the Policy on Gaeltacht Education and will be an important next step towards achieving the Programme for Government commitment to develop a comprehensive policy on Irish in the education system. The policy on Irish-medium education will be developed in the context of the overall framework of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030.

The key objectives of the policy on Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht are likely to include:

- the provision of a framework for the delivery of high-quality Irish-medium education in Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí and early learning and care settings (for example, naíonraí) outside of the Gaeltacht

- increasing the proportion of children and young people attending Irish-medium schools, including by building on the foundations laid in Irish-medium early learning and care settings (for example, naíonraí)

- considering how opportunities for the establishment of Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí can be increased as part of the patronage process

- developing a clear policy on the establishment and sustainability of Aonaid/Sruthanna (units/streams) in existing English-medium post-primary schools to strengthen Irish-medium education provision

- examining how the supply of teachers and other staff with a high standard of Irish can be increased to meet demand in Irish-medium education settings

- looking at ways to deepen community engagement around Irish-medium schools and early learning and care settings.

A steering committee has been established with representatives from relevant Government Departments and Agencies to oversee the development of the policy.

A review of national and international literature has been commissioned through a public procurement process, to inform the development of the policy.

A public consultation process will take place in the coming weeks to gather the views of stakeholders, including young people, parents, school staff and leaders, education stakeholders and Irish-language stakeholders.

I look forward to progressing this important work of strengthening Irish-medium educational provision and building on the positive outcomes already being achieved in the implementation of the Policy on Gaeltacht Education. I also look forward to working with relevant stakeholders in the development of this policy.