Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 May 2022
180. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 888 and 889 of 26 April 2022, when the first of the intradepartmental working group took place the parties present; what was discussed; the outcome of the meeting; when the next meeting is due to take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22388/22]
View answerAn intradepartmental working group was established within my Department in September 2021 to progress the work of developing a new policy for Irish-medium Education outside of Gaeltacht areas. This working group consists of officers from relevant units in the Department of Education. It has met on a monthly basis since its establishment.
The intradepartmental working group has focused on developing a consultation process to encourage the widespread participation of interested parties to inform the policy development process. The working group has also progressed work to identify initial research requirements and has agreed an approach to support the procurement of researchers to carry out a review of relevant existing literature on Irish-medium education and international experience in relation to education in minority languages. The working group will continue to meet regularly until the initial work programme has been progressed.
A steering committee has also been established to provide oversight, guidance and support for the policy development process from relevant parties. The steering committee consists of senior officers from the following organisations:
- Department of Education
- Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY)
- Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (DTCAGSM)
- Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS)
- An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG)
- Foras na Gaeilge
- The Teaching Council
- National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS)
- National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)
- National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The first meeting of the steering committee was held on 13 April 2022. Committee members were informed of the work carried out by the working group to date. The next steering committee meeting will be held later in the year, at a date to be finalised.
