Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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289. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of Irish exemptions in post-primary schools, by local authority, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49886/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the deputy that high-level statistics on the Exemptions from the study of Irish are published on the department’s website:

The number of exemptions from the study of Irish granted to post primary students in 2023/24 by county are as follows:

- school enrolments at post-primary level have increased from 362,899 in 2018/19 to 425,411 in 2024/25, representing an increase of 17% at post-primary level.

- At post primary level, 36,629 children have come into the education system from abroad between 2018 and 2024,

• The Gaeltacht Education Policy and developing a new policy for Irish-Medium Education outside the Gaeltacht.
• Curricular reform to strengthen the teaching and learning of Irish with the introduction of The Primary Language Curriculum/Curaclam Teanga na Bunscoile, reform at Junior Cycle level with L1 and L2; and reform at Senior Cycle underway
• A new Action Plan for Irish in English-medium schools is due to be published as soon. The action plan has been developed by a new Unit established within my Department to support the teaching and learning of Irish in primary and post-primary schools that teach through English and will be implemented within a two-year period, 2025 to 2027
  • The purpose of the policy framework and action plan is to support and improve the teaching and learning of Irish in English-medium schools.
  • The aim is to address key strategic challenge points where immediate and tangible action is likely to make a difference in a reasonable period.
  • The action plan is informed by an extensive consultation at national and school levels. It is also informed by research and approaches to language planning for minority languages in other jurisdictions.
  • 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.
• Additional resources to An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG), a dedicated agency to support the teaching and learning of Irish, as well as Irish-medium and Gaeltacht education
  • to promote the Irish Language and the benefits of bilingualism
  • to create a digital hub for quality resources for Irish in English medium schools
  • to provide language upskilling courses for primary school teachers and delivered in Education Centres across the country in summer 2024.
  • to progress the Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) project in conjunction with the Department’s support service Oide,
  • Resources for teaching PE through Irish in 1st and 2nd class in English-medium schools were published by COGG this month building on the those that were made available for junior and senior infants in 2023/24. COGG will continue to develop resources for senior classes in the coming years.
  • Teacher Education and training including empowering teachers to use differentiated approaches in teaching the Irish language
  • Funding to Foras na Gaeilge to progress a number of initiatives including the Gaelbhratach programme, further development of Seideán Sí and the development of an Irish/ Irish Dictionary, the first tranche of which will be published in October.