Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022

The Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022 responds to the objectives of the Government’s 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030and the 5-Year Action plan for Irish 2018-2022 to promote, revive and strengthen the use of Irish.

The policy is the strategic response to address the linguistic challenges facing Gaeltacht language planning areas. The uniqueness of the Gaeltacht as an area of significant linguistic, cultural and economic importance is recognised in the policy. The aim of the implementation of the policy is to secure the vitality of Gaeltacht areas as the home of Irish-speaking communities.

The policy is set out under seven pillars, as follows:

1. Strengthening the structure of educational provision

2. Improving the quality of teaching through Irish

3. Building the capacity of school leaders and school management

4. Improving the curriculum for Irish

5. Improving language resources and supports

6. Strengthening early-years’ educational provision

7. Building awareness of the benefits of Irish-medium education, communicating with, and supporting parents in promoting the language.

The policy is designed to strengthen and ensure the provision of high quality Irish-medium education in Gaeltacht language-planning areas through a range of actions and targeted supports. The policy aims to build on the linguistic strengths which exist in the Gaeltacht in conjunction with local language-planning processes.

The Gaeltacht Education Policy Advisory Committee was established in March 2017 to support the phased implementation of the Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022 read more

All schools in Gaeltacht language-planning areas have been invited to apply to participate in a Scheme to achieve recognition as a Gaeltacht school. Schools that commit to becoming Gaeltacht schools will, through their school self-evaluation processes (SSE), develop a whole-school action plan for improvement that will demonstrate clearly how the school will fulfil the requirements of the recognition process in a staged way and how it will build linkages with its local community to foster the use of the Irish language.

Schools, whose action plans are approved, are eligible to access additional resources, including dedicated continuing professional development (CPD), to support them in working towards achieving Gaeltacht school recognition.

Validation Process for Recognition as a Gaeltacht School

In June 2021, a guidance notewas published to provide details of the steps involved in the validation process to gain recognition as a Gaeltacht school and to advise schools on how to prepare for the validation process.

A validation process was undertaken by the Inspectorate between October 2022 and Easter 2024. As a result of the validation process, recognition was awarded to 101* primary schools and 19 post-primary schools at a series of recognition events around the country in October 2024. The Aonad um Oideachas Gaeltachta congratulates these schools on their achievement. A list of schools who have received recognition can be found here.

Although all schools participating in the scheme have made progress towards implementation of the language-based criteria, an additional period of time will be available to some post-primary schools to allow them to make further progress towards implementation of the criteria. Officials from the Department are in contact with these schools to discuss next steps and further discussion will take place with these school communities in the coming months.

One new primary school has joined the scheme in the 2024/25 school year. As a result, there will be 102 primary schools and 29 post-primary schools participating in the scheme in the 2024/25 school year.

• *102 primary schools completed the validation process. Two schools have amalgamated in the interim, however, resulting in a total of 101 primary schools receiving recognition.

Current Implementation Phase 2025/2026

Details of the current stage of implementation are outlined in Circular 0010/2025 for primary and special schools participating in the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme and in Circular 0009/2025 for post-primary schools.

Information for schools in Gaeltacht language planning areas who wish to apply to participate in the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme are available in Circular 0022/2024.

Circulars

Implementation Phase 2025/2026 *0009/2025 *0010/2025 *0022/2024

Implementation Phase 2024/2025 *0020/2024* 0021/2024*0022/2024*

Implementation Phase 2022/2024 * 0010/2022 * 0011/2022 * 0012/2022 * 0016/2023

Implementation Phase 2021/2022 *0012/2021 *0013/2021 *0014/2021

Implementation Phase 2020/2021*0010/2020*0011/2020*0012/2020

Implementation Phase 2019/2020*0009/2019*0010/2019*0011/2019

Implementation Phase 2018/2019*0021/2018*0022/2018

Implementation Phase 2017/2018*0033/2017*0034/2017

Schools participating in the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme

• Primary schools participating in the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme
• Post-primary schools participating in the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme

Language Criteria for Recognition as a Gaeltacht School

• Language Criteria for Recognition as a Gaeltacht School Primary
• Language Criteria for Recognition as a Gaeltacht School Post-primary

Advisory visits

• Guide for Schools Inspectorate Advisory Sessions 2021/22 for schools participating in the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme
• Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme: Key Messages from Inspectorate Advisory Visits 2018

Guides for Schools

• Guidance note: Validation Process to Gain Recognition as a Gaeltacht School
• A Guide for Gaeltacht Schools: Partnership with the community in promoting the use of Irish
• Guide for Gaeltacht Primary Schools: Strengthening links between primary schools and early-learning and care (ELC) settings
• Guide for Gaeltacht Primary Schools: Indicators of Good Practice for Immersion Education
• Immersion Education in the Gaeltacht Primary School: Board of Management Checklist
• Indicators of Good Practice in Immersion Education: Guide for Gaeltacht Post-Primary Schools
• Immersion Education in the Gaeltacht Post-primary School: Board of Management Checklist
• Teimpléad Samplach um Plean Gníomhaíochta

Application Forms

• Application for additional Irish language support hours under the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme
• Expression of interest form to take part in the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme
• Expression of interest form to share best practice with other schools in the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme
• School Cluster Application Form 2025/26

Irish-medium E-hub Project

• Independent evaluation of the Gaeltacht e-Hub Pilot Project
• Information Note for Schools and Application Form to participate in Gaeltacht e-Hub Pilot Project
• Gaeltacht e-Hub Information for Students and Parents

What we will do with your information

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.

Scéal na Scéime – Newsletter for schools

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Contact details

If you require further information, please contact aog@education.gov.ie or phone (01) 889 6408.

Gaeltacht Education Unit

Policy on Gaeltacht Education Research Reports

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