Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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744. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills given the concerns expressed by the Irish-speaking community about the establishment of Aonaid (details supplied), to clarify whether new Aonaid will be established under the new policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58634/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The new policy for Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht is due to be published by my department shortly.

A key action under this policy is the establishment of a taskforce on models of provision for Irish-medium education. This taskforce will facilitate collaboration between the department and key stakeholders to examine the various models of Irish-medium education and to identify ways to reconceptualise them, if necessary, with a view to increasing the availability of Irish-medium education. Consideration of teacher supply for Irish-medium schools will be a crucial factor in the work of the taskforce and in the provision of high-quality education in the sector.

Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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745. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the actions she intends to take to ensure an increase in the number of Irish-medium schools given that it is stated in the 20-year Strategy for the Irish Language that the number of such schools will be increased; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58635/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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.

A new policy for Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht is due to be launched by my department shortly. This policy will sit within the overall framework of the 20-year Strategy for the Irish language and will build on the achievements of the Policy on Gaeltacht Education. A key action under this policy is the establishment of a taskforce on models of Irish-medium education. The taskforce will provide a platform for collaboration between the department and key stakeholders to identify and co-design approaches to increase the provision of high-quality Irish-medium education in a sustainable manner.

It is my intention to launch a survey of primary school communities very shortly. It is planned that the survey will ask parents for their preference for the primary language of educational provision in their school - English or Irish. The results of the survey will help us plan how we provide education at primary level into the future. This initiative, along with other work, will help identify opportunities for increasing Irish-medium provision at primary and post-primary level.

My department is also working with the Edmund Rice Schools Trust (ERST) on the transition of Synge Street CBS from a single-sex, English medium post-primary school to a co-educational Gaelcholáiste, on a phased basis, from September 2026.

It is also worth noting that the amount of capital investment by my department between 2020 and August 2025 in Irish-medium schools was approximately €466m.