Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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99. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will fulfil the promise in the programme for Government to develop a 'policy for the Irish language in the education system from preschool to third level' without any further delay, and set up an expert group to develop this policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30213/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Significant progress has been made by my Department in implementing the Policy on Gaeltacht Education, and the Department is now progressing work on the development of a new policy on Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht. In addition to this work, a new unit has been established within the Department recently to develop a policy framework and action plan to support the teaching of Irish in English-medium schools.

Since its publication, the Policy on Gaeltacht Education has contributed to strengthening the delivery of Irish-medium education in Gaeltacht areas. Under this policy, significant support has been provided to Gaeltacht schools through the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme. Language-based criteria are set out for schools within this Scheme to ensure they are providing a high standard of education through the medium of Irish. An Irish-medium B.Ed. and an M.Ed. in Irish-medium and Gaeltacht education have also been established under this Policy.

The new policy on Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht will build on the achievements of the Policy on Gaeltacht Education. A public consultation process has been conducted to gather the views of stakeholders, and Sealbhú, a research centre in DCU, has carried out an analysis of the information gathered throughout the consultation. Sealbhú was also commissioned to undertake a review of international literature which focused upon teaching through minority languages. Insights gleaned from the consultation process and from the research undertaken will inform the development of the new policy on Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht.

The policy framework and action plan to be developed by the Department’s newly established Irish Language Unit for English-medium Schools will address particular key strategic challenge points where immediate and tangible action is likely to make a difference in a reasonable period of time. The policy framework and action plan will be informed by national and international research and by extensive consultation with stakeholders at national and school level.

In parallel to the work being carried out by my Department, the Department of Children, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Youth is currently developing a national plan on Irish language provision in early learning and care and school-age childcare. The Departments are working closely together to ensure all policies are in alignment.

Taken together, these policies and initiatives are important steps towards achieving the Programme for Government commitment of providing a comprehensive policy for the Irish language from pre-primary education to teacher education for all schools. Expert advice has been sought to inform the development of each of these policies – research has been commissioned and steering groups with relevant stakeholder organisations have guided policy development and implementation.

I look forward to continued collaboration with relevant stakeholders on this important work of strengthening the teaching of Irish in our schools, and developing and promoting Irish-medium education, both within and outside of the Gaeltacht.