Written answers

Wednesday, 22 January 2025

Department of Education and Skills

Scoileanna Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta

Photo of Paul MurphyPaul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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565. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the Programme for Government will commit to legislation which enables future generations of children to attend a Gaelscoil or a Gaelcholáiste, if they so desire; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46907/24]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Work is currently underway in my department to develop a new policy on Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht. One of the key objectives of this policy, among other things, is to increase the proportion of children and young people accessing Irish-medium education. This includes exploring and progressing opportunities for the growth and establishment of Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí, in line with a range of factors, including demand, teacher supply and the need for children and young people to access a broad and balanced curriculum.

In order to inform the development of the policy, a comprehensive public consultation process was conducted to gather the views of stakeholders, including young people, parents and guardians, education professionals, education stakeholders and Irish-language organisations. Sealbhú, a research centre in DCU, carried out an analysis of the information gathered throughout the consultation. A review of national and international literature was also conducted by Sealbhú. This research focuses on teaching through the medium of minority languages in various jurisdictions internationally.

The policy, together with an action plan, is currently being developed by officials of my department. In developing the policy, my department is drawing on the various reports prepared by Sealbhú, and on information shared by stakeholders in bilateral meetings and at a consultation event held in September 2024. This information is being considered in light of the existing provision for Irish-medium education and the estimated demand in the education system, as well as the department’s budgetary and legislative context.

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