Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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35. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his engagement with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality to ensure sustainable provision of Irish-medium early years services. [22529/26]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Early childhood is a critical period for language acquisition, and Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) settings offer a unique and powerful opportunity to introduce and nurture Irish in an immersive, supportive, and engaging environment. My Department has engaged extensively with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality on the development of its national plan and associated action plan to support Irish language provision in ELC and SAC.

Drawing on consultation with key stakeholders, sectoral expertise, and existing good practice, the national plan will outline a phased and sustainable approach to developing capacity, building educator and practitioner competence and confidence, enhancing resources, and supporting families and communities in fostering Irish language use. Targeted and practical steps will be set out to strengthen Irish language provision across the ELC and SAC sectors, ensuring that children of all backgrounds can experience and develop a positive relationship with the language from an early age.

My Department, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and the Department of Education and Youth will work together with ELC and SAC settings, relevant stakeholders, educators and practitioners, and support organisations to progress the actions arising out of the high-level objectives to be contained in the national plan. Through coordinated actions and ongoing monitoring, the implementation of this Plan will contribute meaningfully to national efforts to support Irish and ensure that the language is a living, everyday part of children’s lives from their earliest years.

This work aligns with national policy frameworks including First 5: A Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families (2019–2028) and with the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010–2030, and supports the goals of increasing access to high-quality Irish-medium and Irish language-supported services.