Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 March 2019
14. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her policy on ensuring that all children in crèches receiving money from the State are given an opportunity in circumstances in which parents wish their child to come into contact with the Irish language; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14275/19]
View answer24. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has had discussions with the Minister of State with responsibility for the Gaeltacht regarding the specific language needs of children from Irish-speaking households in the context of funding for crèches; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14276/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 24 together.
I am conscious of the value of supporting the provision of services in the Irish language to children at an early age, and of the role pre-schools can play in promoting Irish as a living language. In this regard my Department has collaborated with the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in agreeing a comprehensive set of actions under the 5 Year Action Plan for the Irish Language 2018-2022.
These actions are in support of the overarching 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030, and are designed to affirm the importance that early learning and care settings have in encouraging the development and revitalisation of the Irish language.
The aim of these actions is to build on the existing measures, supports and partnerships in place in the area of Irish-medium early learning and care, and to further improve these supports and services.
Furthermore, First 5, the recently published ten year Whole-of Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families contains two actions specifically related to the provision of Irish language supports to the early learning and care sector.
My Department funds some 228 services which identify themselves as Naíonraí. Total funding of some €16m was provided to such services over the past four years.
Much is currently being done in my Department to ensure improved communication with Irish speaking childcare services. For example, in respect of the forthcoming National Childcare Scheme, the website and parent application will be available in Irish. Irish speaking support staff will be available to answer parental queries, and communications in relation to the Scheme will also be available in Irish.
Training and materials for the Access and Inclusion Model that helps children with a disability to participate in the ECCE scheme are available through Irish. Inspections operated by Tusla and the Department of Education are available through Irish, as are mentoring services from Better Start.
My Department is committed to continuing to support services wishing to operate through the medium of Irish.
