Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 January 2023
754. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure the number of students attending Irish-medium education is increased from 6.7% to 20% in the next 20 years in line with the objectives within the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1317/23]
View answerWork on the development of a new policy for Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht is under way in my Department. A public consultation process is currently being undertaken to seek the views of interested stakeholders. The information gathered during the public consultation, along with research commissioned by my Department, will inform the development of the new policy.
The key objectives of the policy are in accordance with the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 and the Programme for Government 2020 and include, among other things:
- increasing the proportion of children and young people attending Irish-medium schools, including by building on the foundations laid in Irish-medium early learning and care settings (for example, naíonraí)
- exploring how opportunities for the establishment of Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí can be increased as part of the patronage process.
Increasing the number of pupils and students who attend Irish-medium education will be an important measure in increasing the potential labour force of applicants who will be available as the public service aims to ensure that 20% of new recruits to public bodies will be competent in the Irish language by the end of 2030.
