Consultation
Consultation process to develop a policy on Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht
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From October 2022 to July 2023, the Department of Education conducted a public consultation process, which sought the views of interested stakeholders, to inform the development of a new policy for Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht.
Members of the public and interested stakeholders, including young people, parents/guardians, teachers/early years educators, school leaders, members of school boards of management, school management bodies, education stakeholders and Irish-language stakeholders were invited to have their say on this important topic.
The insights and information on key issues gathered during this process will serve as a valuable resource to inform policy development.
The new policy for Irish-medium education outside of Gaeltacht areas will identify actions to achieve the following key objectives:
- the provision of a framework for the delivery of high-quality Irish-medium education in Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí and in Irish-medium early learning and care settings (for example, naíonraí) outside of the Gaeltacht
- 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
- developing a clear policy on the establishment and sustainability of Aonaid/Sruthanna (Irish-medium units/streams) in existing English-medium post-primary schools to strengthen Irish-medium education provision
- examining how the supply of teachers and other staff with a high standard of Irish can be increased to meet demand in Irish-medium education settings
- looking at ways to deepen community engagement around Irish-medium schools and early learning and care settings
The department established a Steering Committee to oversee the development of the policy.
A report on provision for Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht has been published as an important reference point to inform the consultation and the policy development process.
An Overview of Provision for Irish-Medium Education outside of Gaeltacht Areas: Current Provision and Future Projections
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Léargas ar Sholáthar don Oideachas Lán-Ghaeilge lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht: Soláthar Reatha agus Réamh-mheastacháin don Todhchaí
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Two composite reports were published by the Department of Education in spring 2021 based on inspection findings on the quality of educational provision in Irish-medium primary and post-primary schools outside of the Gaeltacht. These reports covered the period 2017 to 2020. These reports provide a helpful insight into practice in Irish-medium schools, which may be of interest to those participating in the public consultation process.
Composite Report: Irish-medium primary schools outside of the Gaeltacht
Preliminary Report to Inform the Development of a Policy for the Irish-medium Sector Outside of the Gaeltacht
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Composite Report: Irish-medium post-primary schools outside of Gaeltacht
Preliminary Report to Inform the Development of a Policy for the Irish-medium Sector Outside of the Gaeltacht
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A review of national and international literature on Irish-medium and minority language education was undertaken to inform the development of the policy. The results of this review will be published in due course.
The consultation process consisted of three interrelated phases which are outlined below.
Members of the public and stakeholders were invited to complete an online questionnaire and/or to make a written submission to the Department of Education.
The online questionnaire was available to complete until 16 January 2023.
The closing date for receipt of written submissions was 30 January 2023.
A number of focus groups were held in the first half of 2023 to further investigate the themes that emerged from the first phase of the consultation.
Focus groups took place in a number of primary and post-primary schools (both Irish-medium and English-medium) to ensure the views of children and young people are included in the policy development process.
Further focus groups took place with parents/guardians, teachers, educators and other stakeholders, from April to June 2023. These focus groups took place online and examined themes such as:
- the transition between ELC setting and Irish-medium primary school
- effective practice in Irish-medium primary schools
- effective practice in Irish-medium post-primary schools
- meeting special educational needs in Irish-medium education
- teacher supply and school provision
- schools transitioning from English-medium to Irish-medium education
In parallel with Phase 2, further engagement with certain stakeholders undertaken as part of the consultation process in the form of bilateral meetings with officials from the Department of Education.
The research and results in respect of these phases are being collated and analysed presently and further publication in respect of these will follow in the coming months. Once analysis of all three phases of the consultation has been completed, the identification of policy direction will commence.
Any personal information submitted to the department will be treated strictly in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation 2016/67 and the Data Protection Act 2018. The department’s Data Protection Policy is available online. The Privacy Notice is also available online.
If you require further information on the consultation process or about the development of the policy please contact POLG@education.gov.ie or phone (01) 889 6408.