Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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476. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide the most recent total number of teachers in Irish primary schools, by number, per category (details supplied). [63435/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The information requested by the Deputy is attached. It should be noted that these are the current number of posts allocated but may be subject to change during the school year.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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477. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the research undertaken on the role of Irish language youth workers and volunteers outside Gaeltacht communities, considering the new pilot on the role of Irish language youth workers in Gaeltacht communities; the research that will be taken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63468/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Education and Youth recognises the importance of supporting the Irish language within the youth work sector and is committed to exploring opportunities to strengthen this area. Currently, the Youth Affairs Unit supports Irish language youth work through its core funding schemes and targeted initiatives.

The Youth Services Grant Scheme (YSGS) is the principal funding stream for universal youth work, supporting 35 national and regional organisations to deliver services, build sectoral capacity, and uphold standards. It currently includes two Irish language youth organisations — Feachtas and Ógras — which promote Irish language and culture through youth work. The scheme is undergoing reform to expand access to new national organisations, including Irish language youth organisations that meet eligibility criteria.

The Local Youth Club Grant Scheme (LYCGS) is the Youth Affairs Unit’s second-largest universal scheme, supporting approximately 1,200 voluntary youth clubs nationwide. Administered by education and training boards (ETBs), it provides annual grant aid to help clubs deliver youth work activities in their communities. The scheme is open to all voluntary youth clubs and currently supports several Irish language clubs nationwide. This promotes linguistic inclusion and cultural relevance in local provision.

The Youth Affairs Unit is also funding a research pilot on the role of Irish language youth workers in Gaeltacht communities. This evidence-informed initiative is being delivered in partnership with Mayo and Sligo and Leitrim ETB, Kerry ETB, Muintearas, and Údarás na Gaeltachta. The three-year project is underway in Mhaigh Eo Thuaidh, Corca Dhuibhne, and Uíbh Ráthach, where youth workers are evaluating their practice using a shared methodology. The research explores how young people engage with youth services through Irish, and the social and personal benefits of these interventions. Findings will inform future youth work and Irish language policy and practice.

In terms of broader policy context, the department is currently working within the framework of two national strategies and one action plan that guide its approach to Irish language youth work.

The 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010–2030 highlights the critical role of youth services in sustaining Irish as a community language, particularly in the Gaeltacht. It states, “in order to address the threat to the sustainability of the Gaeltacht as a linguistic entity, priority will be given to language planning activities necessary to stabilise the position of Irish as the community language”. These plans include specific actions under the heading of youth services, such as the promotion of language awareness among young people. In line with this, the department currently funds Tionscnamh Óige Mhuintearais under the UBU Your Place Your Space scheme. Based in Leitir Móir, Galway, the service provides targeted support to young people aged 10–24 across South Connemara, addressing issues such as social marginalisation, mental health, and drug and alcohol misuse. It also delivers workshops for young people who are unemployed or not in education, employment or training (NEETs), with a strong emphasis on cultural and linguistic inclusion through Irish.

The department’s Opportunities for Youth strategy also provides a policy framework for youth work provision in Irish. Action 4 commits to ensuring a range of opportunities for young people across schemes and services, with a focus on key themes including mental and social wellbeing, supports for NEETs, inclusion and outreach, participation in arts and culture, civic engagement, and the digital environment. These themes are highly relevant to Irish language youth work, particularly in Gaeltacht and minority-language communities. Action 5 calls on funded organisations and delivery bodies to proactively communicate and promote available opportunities, including through digital engagement tools. This responds directly to feedback from young people about limited awareness of services in their area and supports greater visibility of Irish language youth work.

The national consultation held earlier this year, to inform the Action Plan for Irish in English-Medium Schools, delivered a clear message: children and young people said they wanted to learn Irish, to be able to speak it and to have more opportunities to use Irish both in and beyond the classroom. As part of this work, the Youth Affairs Unit is leading two actions:

• To increase awareness of and encourage student participation in existing Irish language youth club networks

• To support the establishment of Irish language youth club networks in areas where these are not currently available

Overall, these commitments reflect a growing recognition across Government of the need to support Irish language youth work. The department will continue to engage with relevant stakeholders and monitor developments in this area as part of its broader work to promote inclusion and cultural participation among young people.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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478. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills given the research pilot on the role of Irish language youth workers in Gaeltacht communities underway, if she will provide a timeline for this; when interim findings will be expected; when future Irish language policy and practice will be shaped by this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63469/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The department is currently funding an Evidence-Informed Action Research Pilot focused on the role of Irish language youth workers in Gaeltacht communities. This collaborative initiative involves Mayo and Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board (ETB), Kerry ETB, Muintearas, and Údarás na Gaeltachta.

The research is designed to explore how An Oibrí Óige and other youth work practitioners engage with young people and their families through Irish, and how these interactions influence access to, participation in, and outcomes from youth services.

The project is being implemented across three Gaeltacht case study areas: Mhaigh Eo Thuaidh (Gaeltacht Iorras), Corca Dhuibhne, and Uíbh Ráthach. Practitioners in each site are undertaking a process evaluation of their local projects using a shared methodology. Over the course of a three-year funding cycle, the research will document and review the benefits, achievements, limitations, and challenges of Irish language youth work in these contexts.

Progress to Date:

• Foróige has been awarded the contract as the participating national organisation across all three sites.
• Interviews for an Oibrí Óige have concluded across all three research areas, with youth workers due to take up their roles in the coming weeks.
• The evaluation and research framework is currently being established between the Department, both ETBs, and Údarás na Gaeltachta.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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479. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on actions taken, or to be taken, to meet Action 2.6.2.3 of the Action Plan for Irish in English ­Medium Schools; the supports that will be provided to ensure that greater awareness of and encouragement of participation in existing Irish language youth clubs that is planned will be met; if there will be additional supports from Budget 2026 aside from any increases to the youth services grant scheme (YSGS) to meet this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63470/25]

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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480. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she can provide an update on actions taken, or to be taken, to meet Action 2.6.2.4 of the Action Plan for Irish in English ­Medium Schools; what supports will be made available to support the establishment of Irish language youth clubs and afterschool activities in areas where these are not currently available; if there will be additional supports from Budget 2026 aside from any increases to youth services grant scheme to meet this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63471/25]

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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481. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if funding for Irish language youth clubs and afterschool activities will be supported outside of the Youth Affairs budget, or if funding for the implementation of the relevant actions of the Action Plan for Irish in English ­Medium Schools comes from Youth Affairs alone; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63472/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 479, 480 and 481 together.

The Department of Education and Youth recognises the importance of supporting the Irish language within the youth work sector and is committed to exploring opportunities to strengthen this area. This commitment is reflected in the implementation of the Action Plan for Irish in English-Medium Schools, particularly Actions 2.6.2.3 and 2.6.2.4, which focus on increasing awareness of existing Irish language youth clubs and supporting the establishment of new clubs where they are not currently available.

It should be noted that afterschool activities fall under the remit of the Department of Children, Disability, and Equality, and as such, this department cannot comment on those provisions.

The strategic direction for youth clubs and services will be guided by the Opportunities for Youth: National Strategy for Youth Work and Related Services, published in September 2024. The strategy aims to build awareness of youth clubs and services, strengthen provision, and ensure accessibility for all young people.

Under Action 9, significant progress has been made on the development of a comprehensive mapping tool, including an internal dashboard. This dynamic map will serve as a central resource for young people, guardians, and educators to improve awareness of and access to youth clubs and services across the country. Irish language youth clubs will be included as part of this mapping exercise, ensuring visibility and promoting participation. This work feeds directly into Action 2.6.2.3 of the Action Plan for Irish in English-Medium Schools, which seeks to increase awareness of and encourage greater participation of children and young people in existing Irish language youth clubs.

The overarching vision is to ensure that all young people — including those who wish to engage through the Irish language — have access to safe, inclusive, fit-for-purpose spaces that support meaningful engagement, development, and participation, and that they know where these clubs are and how to access them.

Action 2.6.2.4, which seeks to support the establishment of Irish language youth clubs in areas where these are not currently available, will be implemented in conjunction with Irish language youth service providers and Education and Training Boards (ETBs), supported by Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI). This collaborative approach ensures that provision is locally responsive and aligned with national policy objectives, fostering vibrant opportunities for young people to engage with the Irish language in their communities.

As these two actions primarily fall under Youth Affairs as the policy lead, the associated funding will be drawn from the Youth Affairs budget.

I am therefore pleased to announce that, arising from Budget 2026, an additional €8 million in current and capital funding has been allocated to support the sustainability and development of the youth sector. This significant investment strengthens the foundation for inclusive, high-quality provision — ensuring continuity, expanding reach, and enabling clubs and services to respond to the evolving needs of Ireland’s diverse youth population. Importantly, this includes support for Irish language youth clubs and services.

The department remains firmly committed to supporting Irish language youth clubs at both national and local levels and recognises the vital role of inclusive, community-based engagement in all areas. The increased funding will enable Irish language youth clubs and services to continue delivering tailored supports and safe, welcoming spaces for young people across the country, while also allowing new clubs to join Youth Affairs-funded schemes. The primary mechanism for new Irish language youth clubs to access funding is through the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme (LYCGS).

The Budget 2026 documentation published sets out funding for key measures and actions agreed for the coming year. As the Deputy may be aware, in line with standard practice, the final allocation of funding for the department for 2026 will be set out in the 2026 Revised Estimates Volume (REV) which is due to be published later this year. Further details on the 2026 allocations for my department will be available after the 2026 REV process is complete.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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482. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the percentage of the current youth services grant scheme that is being spent on Irish language youth work; her plans to increase this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63473/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Education and Youth recognises the importance of supporting the Irish language within the youth work sector and is committed to exploring opportunities to strengthen this area. Currently, the Youth Affairs Unit supports Irish language youth work through its core funding schemes and targeted initiatives.

The Youth Services Grant Scheme (YSGS) is the principal funding stream for universal youth work, supporting 35 national and regional organisations to deliver services, build sectoral capacity, and uphold standards. It currently includes two Irish language youth organisations — Feachtas and Ógras — which promote Irish language and culture through youth work.

In 2025, Feachtas received €121,436 and Ógras €253,847 funding under the Youth Services Grant Scheme which represents 2.45% of the combined funding support of €15,291,086 made available to these 35 organisations.

An additional €8 million in current and capital funding has been allocated to support the sustainability and development of youth services. This increased funding will allow youth services and providers to maintain and expand existing supports, enhance service delivery, and respond to emerging needs in local communities. It will also enable targeted investment in essential upgrades to youth facilities, equipment, and digital infrastructure — ensuring that services remain safe, accessible, and fit for purpose in a modern youth work environment.

The Budget documentation published sets out funding for key measures and actions agreed for the coming year. As the Deputy may be aware, in line with standard practice, the final allocation of funding for the Department for 2026 will be set out in the 2026 Revised Estimates Volume (REV) which is due to be published later this year. Further details on the 2026 allocations for the Department will be available after the 2026 REV process is complete.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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483. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the engagement she has had with Irish language youth organisations as part of her engagement with relevant stakeholders as part of her broader work to promote inclusion and cultural participation among young people; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63474/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Minister for Education and Youth is committed to promoting inclusion and cultural participation among young people, including through engagement with Irish language youth organisations. Currently, Feachtas and Ógras receive funding through the Youth Services Grant Scheme (YSGS). In addition, funding is also available to Irish language youth clubs across the country through the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme (LYCGS), which is administered by local Education and Training Boards (ETBs). These clubs include Feachtas, Ógras, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Óige na Gaeltachta, and Muintearas.

As part of this work, the Minister engaged directly with Feachtas and Ógras at the National Youth Organisation Forum held in the Department of Education and Youth on 1 October 2025. During this forum, the Minister participated in round-table discussions with these organisations on a range of youth-related topics, including the promotion of the Irish language within the youth sector. In addition, the Minister has had direct dialogue with other national youth organisations such as the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) and Foróige, both of which are actively working to promote inclusion and cultural participation, including initiatives that support the Irish language.

The Department remains committed to working in partnership with these organisations to ensure that Irish language youth work and clubs continues to grow and that young people across Ireland have access to vibrant, culturally rich opportunities that celebrate our linguistic heritage.