Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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129. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the commitment to a comprehensive Irish language strategy from early years, through school to third level; and the actions that she has taken in furtherance of this (details supplied). [58467/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The commitment in the Programme for Government 2020-2025 to provide a comprehensive policy on Irish in the education system was made in the context of the implementation of the Government’s 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030. Under that strategy, my department has made significant progress in implementing the Policy on Gaeltacht Education and is now progressing work on the development of a new policy on Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht, with a public consultation launched on 27 October 2022. Both of these policies are important steps towards achieving the Programme for Government commitment.

In addition to the policies on Gaeltacht education and on Irish-medium education, my department has undertaken other work in recent years in relation to the Irish language in the education system. This has included:

-The implementation of the CLIL pilot project

-The delivery of the new Primary Language Curriculum

-The delivery of the new junior cycle specification for Irish

-The work currently being undertaken by the NCCA on the development of a new specification for Irish at Leaving Certificate Level

-Supports provided by COGG, JCT and PDST in relation to Irish-medium education and to the teaching of Irish as a curricular subject.

These developments will contribute to developing a comprehensive policy on Irish in the education system.