Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 May 2018
110. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Skills the projected cost of producing a comprehensive plan on the strategic development of Irish medium education at preschool, primary and post-primary level across the State. [23896/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently working with the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht on a 5 year Action plan for Irish 2018 – 2022 as part of the implementation of the 20 year Strategy for the Irish Language. The Plan will include an Education Chapter outlining a range of actions across a number of sections within my Department including the Curriculum & Assessment Policy Unit, Teacher Education Section, the Inspectorate, the Forward Planning Unit, the Gaeltacht Education Unit and the School Governance Section. As the plan has not yet been finalised and it is not possible to accurately cost it at the moment.
My Department published its Policy for Gaeltacht Education in October 2016. A dedicated Gaeltacht Education Unit, An tAonad um Oideachas Gaeltachta , was established in the Department and a wide range of actions have commenced as part of implementation of that policy. Implementation of the Gaeltacht Education Policy will cost €2.3m in 2018.
An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) plans and co-ordinates the provision of textbooks and resources to support learning and teaching through Irish. Staffing has been increased to allow for additional work arising from the Policy on Gaeltacht Education and increased funding has allowed for the convening of more regional workshops and the commissioning of relevant research. Funding has also been made available to support the development of an integrated Irish programme for English-medium primary schools to support the Primary Language Curriculum. COGG will receive €1.7m in 2018.
A new phase of the Séideán Sí project to update resources already produced to reflect the curricular changes in the Primary Language Curriculum is expected to cost €500,000 over the period 2018-2020.
