Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 April 2015
739. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the report on researching the policies and practices in other jurisdictions such as Wales and the Catalan region in Spain that are comparable socio-linguistically to Gaeltacht areas, as identified in the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010 to 2030. [14886/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Education and Skills commenced a review of Gaeltacht education in 2014, as part of the Department's commitment to the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010 - 2030 and to the implementation of the Gaeltacht Act 2012.
Four reports, including the one referred to in your question which considers the international perspective, were commissioned to inform the review. The findings of the four reports have, in fact, informed the development of draft policy proposals to strengthen Irish-medium education in Gaeltacht areas. The review is demonstrating clearly the considerable challenges facing Gaeltacht schools and, in particular, the requirement to provide for the learning needs of Gaeltacht children whose home language is Irish. The international perspective in that report has provided a number of models which have been considered.
The Minister for Education and Skills will shortly seek the consent of the Cabinet to publish the draft policy proposals, including the background reports. Following such consent, it is proposed to hold a public consultation process in 2015 with, in particular, Gaeltacht communities so as to seek their views on the draft proposals. It is proposed to finalise the policy proposals in light of the consultation process and to bring these findings back to Government by the end of the year.
The Minister has already acknowledged that Gaeltacht schools would require a range of additional supports to enable them to address the specific needs of their students.
