Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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149. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children attending Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí, including in Gaeltacht areas, in each of the past three years; the indicative number for 2025-2026; her plans to increase the number of children who complete their primary and second level education through Irish; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40116/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The number of children attending Irish-medium primary and post-primary schools within and outside of the Gaeltacht, between the academic years 2021/22 and 2023/24, can be found outlined in the table below.

It is expected that final data in relation to enrolments for the 2024/25 academic year will be published in the near future and the department will notify the deputy when the information is available.

The Programme for Government includes commitments to expand opportunities for students to attend Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí, to establish Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí where there is demand, and to support parents choosing Irish-medium education for their children.

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 was conducted to inform the policy. The department commissioned Sealbhú, a research centre in DCU, to analyse the information gathered through the consultation, and to conduct a review of national and international literature in relation to teaching through the medium of minority languages.

Officials in my department are drawing on the insights gained from this consultation process and from the research in developing the new policy. 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.

A taskforce is due to be established as an action under this policy to explore 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.

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.