Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
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463. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her vision for Irish-medium education. [25599/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Work is currently underway in my Department to develop a new policy on Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht, which will set out an ambitious vision and key objectives for the sector. This new policy will build on the excellent progress that has been made in the development and delivery of the Policy on Gaeltacht Education in recent years.

In order to inform the development of the policy on Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht, 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 and a review of national and international literature.

A consultation event took place in September 2024, to give stakeholders an opportunity to share their opinions on the draft policy framework with officials from my Department.

In developing the policy, the priorities which have been identified by stakeholders during the consultation process are being considered, including their calls for greater provision of Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí. 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.

I expect to receive a draft of the policy in the coming months for my review. If I am satisfied with the draft received, it is intended that the policy will be published in autumn 2025.

Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
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464. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills whether a draft of the policy for Irish-medium education outside of Gaeltacht areas will be published for final consultation with stakeholders; if so, when it is expected to be published; and if not, the reason. [25600/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Work is currently underway in my Department on the development of a new policy on Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht.

A comprehensive consultation process has been conducted to inform the policy on Irish-medium education. 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 bilateral meetings were held with 29 different organisations.

The Department commissioned Sealbhú, a research centre in DCU, to analyse consultation responses and to conduct a review of national and international literature in relation to teaching minority languages.

Officials in the Department of Education and Youth are drawing on the insights gained from this consultation process, and from the research carried out, in developing the new policy for Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht. The information gleaned from the consultation is being considered in light of existing provision for Irish-medium education, the estimated demand in the education system, as well as issues relating to teacher supply and the department’s budgetary and legislative context.

The Department shared a framework for the policy and gave stakeholders a further opportunity to discuss the direction of the policy at a consultation event in September 2024.

In response to feedback from stakeholders, a taskforce is due to be established under the policy to explore issues relating to the various models of Irish-medium education that exist, and to facilitate collaboration between the Department and key stakeholders in re-conceptualising the current models of provision, if necessary. It is envisioned that additional opportunities for consultation in relation to the models of Irish-medium education provision will be created as a result of the work of the taskforce.

I expect to receive a draft of the policy in the coming months for my review. If I am satisfied with the draft received, it is intended that the policy will be published in autumn 2025.

Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
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465. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the proposed membership, remit and reporting timescale for the recently-announced task force on Irish-medium education provision. [25601/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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There is a commitment 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.

Work is currently underway in my Department to develop a new policy on Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht.

A taskforce is due to be established as an action under this policy to explore issues relating to the various models of Irish-medium education provision that exist and to facilitate collaboration between the Department and key stakeholders in re-conceptualising the current models of provision, if necessary. Consideration of teacher supply for Irish-medium education will also be a crucial factor in the work of the taskforce and in the provision of high-quality education in the sector. The membership, remit and timescale of the proposed taskforce are currently under deliberation within the Department. I look forward to the outcome of this taskforce and I hope that stakeholders will seize the opportunities it will provide to maintain and strengthen the future of Irish-medium education provision.