Patrick Costello
Question:890. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education if her Department will provide extra supports and funding for schools which operate and those seeking to open Aonad units. [20102/22]
View answerTuesday, 26 April 2022
Questions (890, 891)
Patrick Costello
Question:891. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education the policy initiatives of her Department to aid schools which wish to transition from operating Aonad units to become fully Irish-medium schools. [20103/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 890 and 891 together.
A new policy for Irish-medium Education outside of Gaeltacht areas is being developed by my Department. The aim of this policy is to provide a framework for the provision of high quality Irish-medium education outside of Gaeltacht areas. The new policy will build on the progress which has been made in the development of the Irish-medium education sector as a result of the implementation of the Policy on Gaeltacht Education. A steering group, comprised of relevant stakeholders, has been established to oversee the development of the new policy and to facilitate key stakeholder involvement in its development. The first meeting of the steering group took place recently. The group will be tasked with the oversight of a consultation process to encourage the widespread participation of interested parties in the policy development process.
Currently, in addition to the normal teacher allocation, schools with an Aonad receive an allocation of 1 WTE (whole time equivalent post) in respect of the Aonad and 0.18 WTE in respect of the Muinteoir i bhFeidhl post within the Aonad. The Department has acknowledged that the structures around the support and development of Aonaid require greater examination and clarification. This will be considered in the development of the new policy on Irish-medium education outside the Gaeltacht. I am looking forward to working with the steering group and other relevant interested parties to progress this important work.
Question No. 891 answered with Question No. 890.