Peadar Tóibín
Question:140. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education the steps her Department has taken to increase the number of Gaelscoileanna in the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52064/23]
View answerThursday, 30 November 2023
Questions (140)
Written answers
As part of the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030, my Department has committed to creating opportunities for expanding Irish-medium education outside the Gaeltacht in the context of the announcements on the establishment of 47 new schools from 2019 (English and Irish medium). My Department has ensured that the process for deciding on the patronage of new schools affords particular consideration to the establishment of Gaelscoileanna, Gaelcholáistí, and Aonaid Lán-Ghaeilge. 9 of the 47 new schools have been confirmed as Irish-medium to date.
The Government has supported the development of 252 gaelscoileanna at primary level, 50 gaelcholáistí at post-primary level and 22 Irish-medium units (Aonad) in English-medium post-primary schools. All counties have at least one gaelscoil at primary level and the majority of counties have post-primary Irish-medium provision (gaelcholáiste or Aonad).
The new policy on Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht, which is currently being developed by the Department, has as one of its key objectives to explore how opportunities for the establishment of Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí can be increased as part of the patronage process.
A public consultation commenced in October 2022 to inform the development of this new policy. This comprised an online questionnaire, a call for written submissions, and a series of focus groups. The information collected in the consultation process is being analysed by the Sealbhú research institute in DCU. Bilateral meetings were also held between an tAonad um Oideachas Gaeltachta and key stakeholders.
A number of pieces of research will also inform the development of the policy:
• A review of national and international research on minority language education (Sealbhú, DCU)
• Research on Irish-medium Aonaid and Sruthanna (Units and Streams) in English-medium schools (a team of researchers from UCC, Mary Immaculate and Munster Technological University)
• A report on current provision for Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht (Department of Education).Two composite reports on inspection findings on the quality of educational provision in Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí (Department of Education).
Circa 88% of Irish-medium schools (both primary and post primary) have reported that they are not oversubscribed.
My Department is committed to supporting Irish-medium schools and has delivered 80 capital building projects for Irish-medium schools since 2000 and over 100 additional building projects are currently in the pipeline in respect of Irish-medium schools.