Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The current allocation is as follows:

COGG Budget	Pay	Non-Pay	Total
2024	1,000,000*	2,040,000	3,040,000

*Includes €297,000 for COGG's programme of work related to the Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017 - 2022.

Funding for COGG in 2024 is €3,040,000. This allocation is composed of a pay element of €1,000,000 and €2,040,000 for non-pay elements. Included in the pay element is an allocation of €297,000 for COGG’s programme of work in relation to the Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022.

Discussions are currently ongoing within the Department in relation to expenditure for various projects in 2025 in light of the funding allocated to the Department in Budget 2025. The allocation for COGG for 2025 is therefore not yet available.

An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) is a national body, under the aegis of the Department of Education and was established under Article 31 of the Education Act 1998. COGG’s role relates to both primary and post-primary education and the four main areas of work are:

(i) to plan and co-ordinate the provision of textbooks and aids to learning and teaching through Irish,

(ii) to advise the Minister on policies relating to the provision and promotion of education through the medium of Irish in recognised schools generally and in schools located in the Gaeltacht,

(iii) to provide support services to those schools through the medium of Irish,

(iv) to conduct research.

In addition to its statutory functions under the Education Act 1998, the role of COGG was expanded by the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 to include planning and co-ordinating the provision of textbooks and aids to the learning and teaching of Irish and to conduct research into and to advise the Minister for Education on strategies which have as their objective the enhancement of the effectiveness of the teaching of Irish in recognised English-medium schools and centres for education. COGG plays a key role in the implementation of the Strategy in the education sector working in collaboration with existing agencies.

In October 2016, the DoE published its Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022. COGG has an extended role in the implementation of actions under that policy which involves coordinating the delivery of particular supports and initiatives for Gaeltacht Education in collaboration with the Gaeltacht Education Unit (AOG) in the DoE, with national support services, the Inspectorate, and other agencies.

Over the term of this Government, my Department has increased funding for COGG from €1.3M in 2018 to €3.04M this year. Similarly, the staff assigned to COGG have been increased from 8 to 15 including a recently added post to work on communications and a national campaign to promote bilingualism and encourage the speaking of Irish among English-medium school stakeholders.

The Government recognises the importance of a strong education system in supporting access for all students to Irish language and culture and its significant role in the revitalisation and maintenance of Irish in Gaeltacht communities and beyond. My Department will continue to seek appropriate funding to support and enhance the work of COGG in future budgets.