Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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178. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the specific steps that will be taken to ensure that the recommendations made during stakeholder consultations will be integrated into the final Irish-medium education policy framework; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39778/24]

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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180. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department will commit to halting any decisions regarding the final Irish-medium education policy until a thorough and inclusive consultation process has been conducted, given the significant concerns raised by an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39780/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 178 and 180 together.

Work continues in my Department in developing a new policy on Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht. This work will build on the achievements of the Policy on Gaeltacht Education.

A comprehensive public consultation process was conducted to gather the views of stakeholders, including young people, parents, education professionals, education stakeholders and Irish-language organisations. In excess of 5,400 questionnaires were completed; 216 children and young people and 92 adults participated in focus groups; 71 written submissions were received; and officials from my Department had bilateral meetings with 29 different organisations.

Sealbhú, a research centre in DCU, carried out an analysis of the information gathered throughout the consultation and prepared a series of reports to inform the development of the policy. A review of national and international literature was also conducted by Sealbhú, which focused on teaching through the medium of minority languages in various jurisdictions internationally.

A policy framework was drafted, drawing together the messages from the research and consultation, and outlining the policy direction. In developing the policy framework, my Department drew on the reports prepared by Sealbhú and the information shared by stakeholders in bilateral meetings. This information was considered in light of the existing provision for Irish-medium education and estimated demand in the education system, as well as the context of my Department’s budgetary and legislative conditions.

A consultation event was held on 20 September 2024 and a copy of the policy framework was shared with attendees in advance of the event. Stakeholders were given a further opportunity at the event to discuss the policy direction with officials from my Department. Feedback from participants was captured at the event and will be considered in drafting the policy.

It is now up to officials in my Department to draft a policy that will set out our vision for the Irish-medium sector and identify how we can move towards that vision. The consultation, the international research, and the feedback from the consultation event will all inform the policy. The internal and external contexts in which the Department is operating will also need to be taken into account.

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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179. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures that will be put in place to support naíonraí in the absence of a national plan for Irish in the early years; how their needs will be adequately addressed in the Irish-medium education policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39779/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Supports for early learning and care settings, including naíonraí, fall under the remit of the Minister for Children, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Youth.

In parallel to the work being carried out by my Department on the development of a policy for Irish-medium education, which will encompass primary and post-primary school levels, 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 settings. The Departments are working closely together to ensure both policies are in alignment.