Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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881. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps that are being taken to increase the teaching through the Irish language in third level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13955/25]

Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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883. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to detail which courses are currently taught through the Irish language across the university sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13957/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 881 and 883 together.

Our higher education system plays an important role in supporting and promoting the use of the Irish language.

The Higher Education Authority Act 2022 highlights the importance of Irish by placing a responsibility on the Higher Education Authority (HEA) to ensure that higher education institutions (HEIs) promote and use the language. My Department, through the HEA, also provides ring-fenced funding to this end. However, it should be noted that HEIs are autonomous in their Irish language strategies, including the provision and expansion of university courses offered through the Irish language.

The HEA estimates that there are approximately 70 programmes offered through higher education where the Irish language is studied. However, the HEA does not currently maintain a record of the number of courses provided through the medium of Irish. Officials in my Department have engaged with the HEA and requested that they review available data to gather this information. Once established, my officials will write to the Deputy with the relevant details.

Regarding funding, €900,000 is provided annually by my Department to support greater use of the Irish language by students and staff in our HEIs. This funding is allocated through the HEA as block grants, allowing institutions fund their own Irish-language initiatives.

The HEA also distributes additional funding from my Department and the Department of the Gaeltacht for other initiatives, including the development of Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge at the University of Galway, with almost €1.8 million annually coming from my Department's budget.

Additionally, the HEA sponsors the Gníomhaí Gaeilge initiative and has provided €150,000 in funding over the last three years to develop Irish language skills among students in Irish language clubs and societies through mentorship and training, in partnership with the Union of Students in Ireland and Conradh na Gaeilge.

Through these various funding initiatives, my Department and the HEA are committed to ensuring that higher education institutions have the resources and autonomy to integrate the Irish language into their offerings and campus life. By fostering an environment where Irish is actively used and promoted, we can strengthen its role in the public sphere and contribute to its long-term sustainability.

Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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882. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills what dealings his Department has had with Coleg Cymraeg; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13956/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has had no dealings to date with Coleg Cymraeg.