Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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589. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress his Department has made in developing a comprehensive Irish-language strategy to support the implementation of the Gaeltacht Act 2012 and the Official Languages Act 2003, with particular reference to the provision and expansion of further education and training opportunities in Gaeltacht service towns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66783/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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My Department recognises the critical importance of promoting and expanding the teaching and use of Irish at tertiary level in support of the Gaeltacht Act 2012 and the Official Languages Act 2003, including the need to build capacity for services in Gaeltacht service towns.

Under the Higher Education Authority Act 2022, the HEA has a statutory obligation to support higher education institutions to teach, promote and use the Irish language. Through the HEA, my Department provides both core funding and specific funding streams for Irish language initiatives which form key pillars of our developing Irish-language strategy at tertiary level.

This includes almost €1.8 million annually for Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge at the University of Galway and €900,000 for broader Irish-language initiatives across the higher education system. These funds support, among other things, the Gníomhaí Gaeilge mentoring and awards scheme for students, the forthcoming Mo Thráchtas i mbeagán focal postgraduate research competition, and research by the University of Galway into the demand for Irish-medium courses across the sector. This research will inform the future expansion of Irish-medium provision, including provision that can serve learners and employers in Gaeltacht service towns.

In addition, my Department supports flexible and accredited Irish-language learning opportunities through initiatives such as the Human Capital Initiative (HCI) Micro-Credentials Learner Fee Subsidy, which currently offers 17 subsidised Irish-language courses providing 158 places. Beyond the higher education sector, Irish is also being advanced through Skillnet Ireland networks, apprenticeships and FET programmes, contributing to the broader policy goal of supporting Irish for professional use, in particular in the context of the 20% public service recruitment target under the National Plan for Irish Language Public Services.

In the FET sector, in particular, Mayo, Sligo, and Leitrim ETB (MSLETB) have partnered with Gaelchultúr to offer a Certificate in Professional Irish course at NFQ Levels 3,4,5 and 6. The Breacadh Scheme supports ETBs that service Gaeltacht regions to develop language materials. While through Adult Literacy for Life (ALL), an online tutor training course in the three main dialects and plain Irish was developed by GRETB and Údarás na Gaeltachta to support Gaeltacht learners. These measures are directly relevant to the provision and expansion of further education and training opportunities through Irish, including for Gaeltacht service towns.

However, we can and should do more to support the teaching and learning of Irish at tertiary level. I have therefore instructed my officials to undertake a programme of work aligned with the objectives of the National Plan for Irish Language Public Services, which will underpin a more comprehensive Irish-language strategy for the tertiary sector. This work includes: establishing a sectoral working group with relevant Government Departments to look at practical ways in which the higher and further education sectors can respond to this skill need; examining the transitions of students from Irish-language post-primary education into tertiary provision; undertaking research into existing and future demand; considering the inclusion of Irish-medium courses in future expressions of interest processes for areas of skills need; and having due regard to Irish in the forthcoming national tertiary strategy.

Any further policy interventions from my Department, including targeted measures to enhance further education and training opportunities through Irish in Gaeltacht service towns, will be based on the outcomes of this work. The Government is committed to working on a cross-Departmental basis to strengthen Irish-medium education from early years through to tertiary level, ensuring a joined-up and sustainable approach to promoting the Irish language and supporting the implementation of the relevant legislation.

Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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590. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the commitments under the Gaeltacht Act 2012 and the Official Languages Act 2003, whether his Department has identified specific funding streams or partnerships with SOLAS and ETBs to ensure that further education and training programmes in Gaeltacht service towns are delivered through Irish; the timeline envisaged for the roll out of these initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66784/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Thank you, Deputy, for raising this important issue.

The statutory basis for the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) is laid out in the Education and Training Boards Act, 2013 and this legalisation does not set an explicit requirement for the provision of services in Irish.

In relation to your question, SOLAS has advised my officials that there is no dedicated funding stream available to deliver classes through the medium of Irish. ETBs, however, assess the specific needs of local communities to determine the demand for FET programmes to be delivered through Irish. Where such demand exists, ETBs will plan and provide programmes as far as practicable taking account of budget provision. Under the Official Languages Act 2003, ETBs must prepare and implement a Language Scheme that details services currently being provided in English only, Irish only or bilingually. These are available on individual ETB websites.

Several ETBs, particularly those servicing Gaeltacht areas, participate in the Breacadh Scheme. This scheme aims to develop high-quality teaching and learning resources in Irish to support FET services in Gaeltacht areas. Breacadh assists the ETBs by producing books, adult learning materials, and other resources through Irish, and by providing support with tutor training and curriculum development.

Irish language classes are offered across a variety of levels on a sessional, part time and evening class basis. As apt to the needs of the learner, some provision can lead toward preparation for accredited QQI modules from NFQ Level 3 upwards.

I’m sure the Deputy will welcome this pioneering collaboration, whereby Mayo, Sligo, and Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB) have joined forces with Gaelchultúr to offer a Certificate in Professional Irish course. This innovative part-time programme, delivered through the Skills to Advance initiative, caters to professionals aspiring to attain an official language qualification for career progression. The goal of this programme is to give the participants confidence and language skills that will enable them to communicate through Irish in the context of work and socially.