Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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1185. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total allowance that was available for teachers who taught in Irish in Irish-medium schools before it was abolished; the estimated cost of reinstating this allowance; if there are any plans in her Department to review this allowance or reintroduce it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43026/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Following a Government Decision in September 2012, my Department implemented the outcome of the review of allowances and premium payments by the then Department of Public Expenditure Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. As a result, many allowances are no longer payable to many new public service entrants including “new entrant” teachers. Among the allowances that had sanction for payment to new beneficiaries removed was the Teaching through Irish Allowance. The value of the Teaching through Irish allowance prior to its abolition was €1,583 per annum.

The Public Service Agreement (PSA) 2024-2026 provides for a local bargaining provision where employers and trade unions/associations may negotiate additional changes in rates of pay and/or conditions of employment. Over the course of recent collective agreements, amendments have been agreed which have seen the value of certain allowances previously withdrawn being integrated into new entrant teacher pay. Examples are the equivalent of an honour’s primary degree allowance and the PME allowance.

Additional amendments to Teacher Terms and Conditions, including pay and allowances, give rise to significant cost issues and can only be achieved through engagement and collective bargaining agreements between the Government and the public service unions or through the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC) forum.

In terms of the possible reintroduction of this allowance, this is one of the matters that may come under consideration under the local bargaining provision of the PSA 2024-2026 and as matters under industrial relations processes are confidential to the parties it would not be appropriate for me to comment any further at this time.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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1186. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department has set aside any funding for the development of a new policy on Irish-medium education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43027/25]

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

The development of the policy was informed by an extensive consultation process and national and international research. 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 carried out the review of national and international literature relating to immersion education in minority language contexts. Research was also carried out on Aonaid and Sruthanna in English-medium schools to further inform policy development. Funding for the consultation and research was provided for through the Department’s Estimates process.

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.

Funding for actions under the policy will be requested through the Department’s annual Estimates process.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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1187. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of establishing an expert group to develop policy for the Irish language in the early years education system from early childhood to third level education based on the Common European Framework of Reference; and if any similar expert groups have been established within the education sector in recent years. [43028/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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My department is taking a progressive, sequenced approach to developing a comprehensive policy for the Irish language in the education system. As it relates to the Department of Education and Youth, there are three strands to this work: the Policy on Gaeltacht Education; the policy on Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht; and the action plan to support the teaching and learning of Irish in English-medium schools. Taken together, these policies and initiatives are important steps towards the provision of a comprehensive policy for the Irish language in the education system. The costs related to the development of these policies and plans are currently being borne by the department.

Throughout the process to develop each of these policies, my department has taken steps to ensure that policy development is informed by extensive consultation and by research, including international good practice.

Significant progress has been made in implementing the Policy on Gaeltacht Education which is overseen by an advisory committee which comprises representatives from a wide range of stakeholder groups. Details of the membership along with discussion papers, the committee’s terms of reference, agendas and minutes of all meetings can be found on the gov.ie website.

The department is now also progressing work on the development of a new policy on Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht. 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 and a review of national and international literature. A steering committee comprised of representatives from relevant government departments and agencies oversees the development of the policy. Details of the membership can also be found on the gov.ie website.

The Irish Language Unit for English-medium Schools is working on the development of an action plan for Irish in English-medium schools to be implemented within a two-year period - September 2025-2027. It will support primary and post-primary schools in implementing existing curriculum specifications to provide better learning experiences of Irish and increase the use of Irish among children and young people. This action plan is informed by an extensive consultation at national and school level. It is also informed by research and by the approach taken to language planning for minority languages in other jurisdictions.

In parallel to the work being carried out by my department, the Department of Children, Diversity and Equality, is currently developing a national plan on Irish language provision in early learning and care and school-age childcare. The departments are working closely together to ensure the policies are in alignment.