Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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My Department is committed to the Programme for Government commitment to increase dedicated Irish-medium teacher training programmes and to build on our current Irish-medium programmes:

• Máistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas/ Professional Master of Education, post-primary level at University of Galway.
• Baitsiléir san Oideachas trí mheán na Gaeilge/Bachelor of Education through the Medium of Irish, primary level at Marino Institute of Education (Marino).

A new contract was awarded to Marino for the Baitsiléir san Oideachas trí mheán na Gaeilge for five student cohorts which commenced in 2024, with the last cohort under this contract due to commence the four-year programme in 2028.

In addition, Marino now offers a new Gaeilge stream for their primary Professional Master of Education (Primary) programme. The first cohort of students commenced the new Máistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas (MGO) trí Mheán na Gaeilge (Bunmhúinteoireacht)/ Professional Master of Education through the Medium of Irish (Primary) in September this year.

The Department continues to engage with Initial Teacher Education providers on an ongoing basis with a view to increasing the number of dedicated Irish-medium teacher training programmes, while giving due regard to teacher supply and demand, existing provision and overall Departmental policy and funding.