Gaeltacht Education Unit

The Gaeltacht Education Unit is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022. The main aim of the Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022 is to support and promote the use of the Irish language in Gaeltacht communities by strengthening Irish-medium educational provision in Gaeltacht language-planning areas. Since implementation of the Policy commenced in 2017, a number of initiatives have been implemented to support the provision of high quality Irish-medium education in Gaeltacht schools. These include the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme under the terms of which additional targeted resources are being provided to schools located in Gaeltacht language-planning areas to support and enhance the delivery of Irish-medium education.

In implementing the Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022, the Gaeltacht Education Unit is working closely with relevant sections within the Department of Education and other relevant agencies and organisations, in particular An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG). The Gaeltacht Education Unit receives ongoing support from the Department of Education’s Inspectorate who provide advice to schools located in Gaeltacht language-planning areas to progress the implementation of the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme. Collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and its agencies, and with other government departments, is also key to the successful implementation of the Policy and Scheme.

The Gaeltacht Education Policy Advisory Committee,, chaired by the Department of Education, provides ongoing advice to the Gaeltacht Education Unit on the implementation of the Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022.

The Gaeltacht Education Unit:

• oversees the implementation of commitments in the Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022 in collaboration with relevant sections of the Department of Education and other government departments and agencies
• oversees the allocation of resources to support the implementation of the Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022 in collaboration with relevant sections of the Department and other agencies
• oversees and monitors the implementation of the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme in collaboration with the Department's Inspectorate.

• Links between Gaeltacht Primary Schools and Naíonraí
• Report on case-study schools participating in the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme
• Independent evaluation of the Gaeltacht e-Hub Pilot Project
• Irish-medium E-Hub Pilot Project - International Review and Advisory Report
• Schools participating in the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme - Key Messages from Inspectorate Advisory Visits
• School Provision in Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas: Current supply and Future Demand
• Review of Education in the Gaeltacht: Review of National Research
• Education Provision through Minority Languages: Review of International Research
• A Report on Irish-medium Educational Provision in Gaeltacht Schools: Primary and Post-Primary Case-Studies