Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2022
966. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education the efforts that are being made to address the issue of teacher supply for Irish-medium secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29355/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022, a number of teacher education initiatives have been implemented to support the delivery of Irish-medium education in schools. Since 2017, additional funding has been made available for two seconded teachers and bursaries, awarded through An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG), to support the Máistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas in NUI, Galway. The objective of this support is to work towards increasing the number of post-primary teachers who can deliver high quality Irish medium education across a range of subjects in Irish-medium and Gaeltacht schools. Also under the Policy on Gaeltacht Education a new blended-learning M.Ed. on Irish-medium and Gaeltacht Education commenced in Mary Immaculate College in 2018.
A new policy for Irish-medium education outside of Gaeltacht areas is being developed by my Department. The aim of this policy will be 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. A wide range of aspects relating to the delivery of Irish-medium education, including teacher education and teacher supply issues, will be considered as part of the development of the new policy. Research work on the policy is due to commence shortly, while a public consultation process will take place in late 2022.
In addition to the above, An Teastas Iarchéime I DteagascÁbharbhunaithe (TTA) SanIarbhunscolaíocht Lán-GhaeilgeAgus Ghaeltachta, a postgraduate programme which attends to the specific professional development requirements as well as the mandatory language proficiency required to teach content through Irish in Irish-medium and Gaeltacht post-primary schools, is being offered by Mary Immaculate College in conjunction with Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) and COGG.
