Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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114. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the importance of promoting the provision of Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17047/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I fully support the important role that Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí play in the promotion of the Irish language.

We have committed in the Programme for Government to expand opportunities for pupils and students to attend Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí, to establish Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí where there is demand, and also, to support parents choosing Irish-medium education for their children.

I intend to prioritise the publication of a new policy on Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht in the coming months. One of the key objectives of this policy will be to consider actions we can take to increase the provision of Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí.

In order to inform the development of the policy, a comprehensive public consultation process was conducted to gather the views of various stakeholders. Sealbhú carried out an analysis of the information gathered throughout the consultation, as well as a review of national and international literature. The draft policy framework was discussed at a consultation event that was held in September 2024 and stakeholders identified that the provision of Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí was a key issue.

In developing the new policy, the department is drawing upon the insights gleaned from the consultation process and from the other research that was undertaken. These priorities are being examined in light of existing provision for Irish-medium education, estimated demand in the education system, as well as questions in relation to teacher supply and the department’s budgetary and legislative context.

A taskforce is due to be established under the policy to explore issues relating to the various models of Irish-medium education provision and to facilitate collaboration between the department and key stakeholders in reconceptualising the current models of provision.