Written Answers Nos. 199-212
199. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Education when a school (details supplied) can expect to receive approval for its building programme to progress to the next phase; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30554/24]
View answerMy Department is working to ensure that the permanent accommodation needs of the school referred to by the Deputy will be addressed. In this regard, my Department is currently in discussions over a potential long-term option for the school. When this has been fully agreed, my Department will be in further contact with the patron of the school.
The school in question is currently in a temporary location at The Maudlins, Trim, Co.Meath under a lease arrangement between the patron of the school and a third party.
200. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Education if she will outline the process of planning, construction and delivery of major construction projects for schools, including the approximate typical timeframes for each stage of the process [30555/24]
View answerAt present, there are five stages of architectural planning involved in the delivery of large scale school building projects. The stages reflect the requirements of the Capital Works Management Framework developed by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
The Department’s Design Team Procedures set out the requirements to be followed at each stage in the process and the Department employs a rigorous and structured approach to permitting a project to move from one stage to the next. This includes robust interrogation of project scope, design and cost by Department delivery teams at each stage.
While many variables can influence the timescale of a project, the following are indicative timeframes for each of the core project stages: The period of time it takes to progress through each of the stages varies from project to project depending on its size and complexity and can often take longer than that indicated. For example, during the planning application, Requests for Further Information (RFI) from Local Authority and possible third party appeals to An Bord Pleanala can considerably lengthen the process.
• Stage 1 – Preliminary Design (5-6 months) The Preliminary Design stage includes reviewing all information provided as part of the Project Brief. It also involves establishing and analysing all site factors and constraints which may impact on the project’s viability.
• Stage 2a - Developed Design (9-12 months) includes development of the design and accurately cost planning the option agreed with the Client. This stage brings the project to the point of lodging for statutory approvals.
• Stage 2b - Detailed Design (approx. 12 months, depending on planning complexity) includes obtaining all statutory approvals, preparing a set of fully detailed Tender documents, and preparing an accurate pre-tender cost plan. During the planning application, Requests for Further Information (RFI) from the Local Authority and possible third party appeals to An Bord Pleanála can considerably lengthen the process.
• Stage 3 - Tender Action, Evaluation and Award (approx. 12 months). On the completion of the examination of tenders, written authorisation of the Department must be obtained before issuing Letter of Intent and Letter of Acceptance. Once all the contract pre-conditions in the letter of intent have been met and the Department has given written authorisation to proceed to Contract, a letter of Acceptance can be issued. This forms the contract and is the date for the calculation of the Contract period.
• Stage 4 – Construction (12 to 36 months) All members of the Design Team are collectively responsible for the effective management of the project in order to achieve its completion on time and within budget.
• Stage 5 - Handover of Works and Final Account (12 months minimum). The Design team individually and collectively are required to effectively manage the Project, and with the co-operation of the Contractor achieve a satisfactory standard of Construction, and achieve Substantial Completion of all elements of the Projects by the Contract Section/Phase handover dates and overall Contract Completion.
This structured approach ensures that approvals are provided on an incremental basis, that all design issues have been addressed prior to tendering (reducing potential conflicts and/or claims during the construction stage) and that costs and project scope are tightly controlled throughout project development.
Notwithstanding the indicative timeframes referenced above, it is important to note that projects are managed and advanced within the context of an overall building programme which must address many competing priorities.
Since 2020, my Department has invested in the region of €4.9 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 900 school building projects and with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 30 new school buildings. These 300 projects currently at construction involves a total State investment of over €1.2 billion. The Department has also announced earlier this year that close to 90 projects, including 28 new school building, would be authorised to proceed from tender to construction over the course of 2024 and early 2025, involving €800 million investment in these large scale projects. Individual projects must therefore be managed and progressed within the parameters of the overall building programme, including budgetary parameters.
The status of all projects is set out at (www.gov.ie). This is updated on a regular basis to reflect project progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
201. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education if certain employment can be considered as service for incremental credit in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30589/24]
View answerThe criteria required to have incremental credit awarded to qualified Special Needs Assistants(SNA) is set out in Circular 0139/2006 and was agreed with the unions representing the Special Needs Assistants, School Management Representatives, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, and the Department of Education.
To qualify for an award of incremental credit, an SNA and their prior work experience being claimed must satisfy the eligibility criteria set out in the relevant circular. An award of incremental credit cannot be made where the eligibility criteria is not satisfied.
The SNA referred to has claimed incremental credit with regard to previous employment from 1987 - 2001. The company have advised that records are not available for this SNA. As the company were unable to verify the relevant employment details for the applicant from company records, the Department of Education is unable to process this application for previous relevant service with the company submitted by the SNA.
202. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the planned extension for a school (details supplied); the actions she will take to ensure that there is no further delay to this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30591/24]
View answerThe project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of a programme of school building projects.
The project is currently at Stage 2b of the architectural process. The planning application was lodged with Wicklow County Council and full grant of planning permission has been received.
When Stage 2b has been finalised and approved, the next stage is tendering for a contractor and then onwards to construction in due course.
It is not possible to provide a definitive timeline for completion of the project at this juncture. The NDFA will be engaging directly with the school in regards to progressing this very important project.
203. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on additional accommodation to include two special classes at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30603/24]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, and a further revised application for additional accommodation was received in December 2023, from the school in question.
Since 2020, my Department has invested in the region of €4.9 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 900 school building projects and with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 30 new school buildings. These 300 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.2bn.
The purpose of my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (or ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom accommodation and accommodation for pupils with special education needs is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation or at other schools in the area.
At primary level, this situation generally arises to cater for a school’s accommodation requirements where an additional teaching post has been sanctioned by Teacher Allocation Section, or the requirement for a new class for pupils with special education needs has been identified by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), and all available alternative accommodation within the school is already being used for classroom purposes. The capacity at other schools in the area is also considered as part of the assessment of any accommodation needs.
I can confirm that my officials have been engaging with the school authorities in relation to progressing their application with both a modular and traditional build project. Once the assessment process has been finalised, the school authority will be notified of the decision directly.
204. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the spend for taxis in lieu of school transport, and their category of spend, by county, for 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 year to date, in tabular form. [30604/24]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education.
In the current school year over 161,600 children, including over 135,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m and the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) accounts for over 50% of this total cost on an annual basis.
Bus Éireann operate the scheme on behalf of the Department, of which circa 94% of the total school transport fleet is operated by private contractors under contract to Bus Éireann. Costs attributed to the SEN transport scheme include payments for transport, grants to families to support them with transport arrangements where required, and grants to schools to provide for the cost of the employment of School Bus Escorts.
The total number of vehicles transporting pupils to school on a daily basis is approx. 7,300 and circa 2,300 of these vehicles are taxis. It is important to note that the total figure includes pupils on mainstream services, pupils on SEN services and pupils from Ukraine.
Taxi services are generally provided to children availing of SEN transport. The Department and Bus Éireann are very conscious of the specialised nature of transport provision for children with special educational needs. This is reflected in the standard of dedicated service provided and the fact that these services are generally planned and timetabled to operate on a door-to-door basis.
It is not possible to provide the information in the manner requested by the Deputy.
205. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the number of seats available in the school transport scheme for September 2024; and the number of seats applied for, by county, in tabular form. [30605/24]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 161,600 children, including over 135,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.
The purpose of the Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Under the current terms of the School Transport Schemes children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 km from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann having regard to ethos and language. At post primary level, they are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 km from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation and where there is capacity to do so.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only and will be facilitated where spare seats are available after eligible children have been accommodated. Where the number of ineligible children exceeds the number of spare seats available Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for the spare seats using an agreed selection process.
The closing date for new applications for the school year 2023/24 was 26 April 2024 and the closing date for payment was 07 June 2024. Families may still apply for school transport following this date, but if the application or payment is late they may not secure a seat on a service and will not be considered for a remote area grant.
A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.
As the scheme is demand led, it is not possible to predict the numbers of students that will require transport for the 2024/2025 school year. Bus Éireann are currently assessing all applications and planning for routes and services for the upcoming school year following the closing date for payments. Once routes have been finalised, Bus Éireann will assign tickets for each vehicle. Tickets will begin to issue in mid-July and will continue to issue throughout July and August. Families who are unsuccessful in obtaining a seat will be notified via email and a refund will issue.
The information required by the Deputy is not available in the manner requested.
206. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the amount a pilot project in an urban setting would cost to run a school transport programme for one school year. [30606/24]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2023/2024 school year over 161,600 children, including over 135,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.
At present, pupils at primary level are eligible where they live no less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest primary school. As determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language
At post primary level, students who live no less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre are deemed eligible. As determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
As you are aware, my Department recently completed a review of the School Transport Scheme which marks the largest review of the scheme since it was established in 1967. This review was conducted with a view to examining the current scheme, its broader effectiveness, and sustainability and to ensure it services students and their families adequately.
Following approval by Government at the end of February, School Transport 2030 was published. Government is committed to working to achieve the report’s recommendation of expanding access to the scheme so that an additional 100,000 pupils can be carried by 2030.
A phased implementation of the review’s recommendations will begin in September 2024. This will include a shared effort between my Department and the Department of Transport, supported by the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Bus Éireann, to pilot and introduce greater integration of existing public transport networks with post-primary school transport routes.
Following closure of the application process for the upcoming school year, consideration will be given to further pilots in other areas of the country. These will be considered in areas where potential demand exists and where capacity/resources are not a particular issue.
It is not possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy as each pilot will have different requirements in terms of the scale of the project. All funding for the school transport scheme for 2024 will be derived from core/current funding. Any requirement for supplementary funding for 2024, will be sought using the agreed supplementary estimates process which has not yet been finalised.
My Department is keen to learn from these innovative developments how best to implement the recommendations for the wider school transport system. I am fully committed to growing the pilots based on the evidence and feedback from the communities involved in this first phase. The planned pilot projects in the 2024/2025 school year will provide valuable insights on
• the impact increased demand will have on the scheme.
• the potential to integrate public transport services with school transport services.
• the facilitation of more sustainable modes of transport.
These insights will give an indication of the scale of planning and implementation required for national implementation of a revised School Transport Scheme, to include the integration of public transport and school transport services.
207. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Education to address a matter concerning the right to attend Teaching Council meetings (details supplied). [30634/24]
View answerThe members of the Teaching Council are appointed by the Minister for Education in accordance with the Teaching Council Act, in this instance, Section 8 2 (b). The mechanisms whereby the nominees to the Council are selected for membership are also defined in the Teaching Council Act, and the Teaching Council Act at Section 10 provides for the making of regulations to operate elections for those members. The functions of the Council are also defined in the Teaching Council Act, and the role of the Minister in relation to the Council is also contained in the Act.
My Department supports the Council in its work through the provision of substitution cover to allow schools to release the elected members of the Council for meetings
Under the provisions of the Education Act 1998, the Board of Management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school. Section 24 of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012), provides that the appointment, suspension and dismissal of teachers are the responsibility of Boards of Management of recognised schools or, where the employer is a person other than a Board, by that person.
The function of the Board of Management of a school as set out in 15 (1) of The Education Act states that “it shall be the duty of a board to manage the school on behalf of the patron and for the benefit of students and their parents and to provide or cause to be provided an appropriate education for each student at the school which the board has responsibility”
The Education Act establishes the Board of Management of a school who is the employer and as such has the authority to determine release time for it's employees to participate in activities including activities relating to Teaching Council membership. Under the Education Act, the Principal of a school is responsible for the day to day management of the school.
While as noted schools are supported to facilitate teachers in respect of their Teaching Council membership through the provision of substitute cover, it is nonetheless a matter for the school as established in the Education Act to determine whether an employee can be released. The principle of voluntary support by schools for this type of service is an important one, underpinning the involvement of teachers in activities including secondment of teachers to important roles in support services for example, and to participate in teacher professional learning. The collaborative approach taken by schools is notable, and schools have a strong record of cooperation and support for such activities.
To date, no such issues regarding release of teachers has been encountered for the recently appointed practising teachers on the Teaching Council.
208. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education if she will make arrangements for the implementation of an approved salary increment (details supplied) which is overdue since the application was submitted in October 2023 and approved in early February 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30669/24]
View answerThe position is that the incremental credit application in this case has been processed by NTS Payroll and was applied to the SNA's salary that issued on 06/06/2024 (202424). The SNA involved also received retrospective pay of €7,322.05 on this date.
209. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais cé na coinníollacha speisialta a bhaineann le duine a bheith áirithe mar scoláire Gaeltachta nó mar dhuine a bhfuil ardchumas Gaeilge aige nó aici, le go ligfí isteach sna cúrsaí oiliúna bunmhúinteoireachta é nó í; an bhfuil i gceist na rialacha sin a leasú; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [30742/24]
View answerIs meicníocht é Bealach Iontrála na Gaeltachta trínar féidir suas le 10% de na háiteanna i gcláir fochéime an Oideachais Thosaigh Múinteoirí (ITE) in Institiúidí Ardoideachais (HEInna) arna maoiniú ag an stát a choinneáil siar d’iarrthóirí ón nGaeltacht, i.e. iarrthóirí atá ina gcónaí sa Ghaeltacht ainmnithe oifigiúil agus a bhfuil an Ghaeilge ina gnáth-theanga bhaile dóibh.
Is é príomhchuspóir an Bhealaigh Iontrála mic léinn a mhealladh chun dul le múinteoireacht bhunscoile a thagann ón nGaeltacht agus a labhraíonn an Ghaeilge mar theanga dhúchais.
Seo a leanas na riachtanais beartais a bhí ann:
• Mic léinn a mhealladh chun dul le ITE bunscoile a bhfuil an Ghaeilge mar theanga dhúchais acu
• Deimhin a dhéanamh de go mbeidh múinteoirí bunscoile ar fáil ó cheantair na Gaeltachta ar dócha go bhfillfidh siad ansin chun múineadh
• Mic léinn a mhealladh chun dul le gairm na múinteoireachta a bhfuil Gaeilge ardchaighdeáin acu.
Tar éis comhairliúchán a dhéanamh, rinneadh na critéir a leanas a fhaomhadh agus a fhógairt in 2020 agus cuireadh i bhfeidhm iad ó Mheán Fómhair 2022 de réir Chiorclán 34/2021 ón Roinn Oideachais.
• ní mór don mhac léinn bheith ina c(h)ónaí i Limistéar Pleanála Teanga na Gaeltachta
• ní mór don mhac léinn leibhéal H3 ar a laghad a bhaint amach i nGaeilge na hArdteistiméireachta
• ní mór d’iarratasóirí na riachtanais eile uile a chomhlíonadh freisin maidir le hiontráil sa B.Oid sa Mhúinteoireacht Bhunscoile mar is gnáth mar aon le riachtanais sainiúla ar bith maidir le máithreánú don HEI ar a bhfuil iarratas á chur isteach acu.
Rinneadh foráil i gCiorclán 34/2021 go ndéanfaí téarmaí Bhealach Iontrála na Gaeltachta de réir mar atá siad leagtha amach a choimeád faoi athbhreithniú i gcomhthéacs fhorbairt bheartas na Roinne Oideachais i dtaca leis an nGaeilge agus le hoideachas trí mheán na Gaeilge.
Maidir leis sin, bhí cruinniú de na páirtithe leasmhara uile ar siúl an 28ú Meitheamh 2024 d’fhonn nuashonrú a fháil faoi eispéireas na n-athruithe ar na critéir a cuireadh i bhfeidhm ó Mheán Fómhair 2022 agus chun plé a dhéanamh ar athruithe breise ar chritéir bhealach iontrála na Gaeltachta a d’fhéadfadh a bheith ag teastáil.
Chomhaontaigh na rannpháirtithe uile nach raibh athruithe ar bith ar chritéir reatha Bhealach Iontrála na Gaeltachta ag teastáil faoi láthair.
Ach leanfar le téarmaí Bhealach Iontrála na Gaeltachta a choimeád faoi athbhreithniú, áfach, i gcomhthéacs fhorbairt bheartas na Roinne Oideachais i dtaca leis an nGaeilge agus le hoideachas trí mheán na Gaeilge.
210. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education when she expects a report on special education provision throughout the country, with particular reference to the establishment of special schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30761/24]
View answerEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.
My department and the NCSE continue to monitor and review the need for further new special schools and the expansion of existing special schools in all areas of the country.
The Department of Education and the NCSE are working to increase special school capacity for the 2025/2026 school year and beyond. Where additional special school places are needed, the preference is generally to expand capacity in existing schools. However, consideration is being given to whether further new special schools, in addition to the 11 recently established or those currently being established, are required in certain locations. As part of this work, the NCSE is examining known demand in areas, the distances children are travelling to special schools and capacity in an area to expand special schools which already exist. This work is ongoing and is expected to be substantially completed in late autumn. A number of regions are under consideration for special school provision.
My department and the NCSE are progressing this review work ahead of determining where additional capacity is required, in existing special schools, or, in what regions a new special school may need to be established for the 2025/26 school year.
It is estimated that a further 300 new special school places may be required nationwide each year for the coming years. When looking to provide additional capacity the department’s preferred option is to increase provision in existing special schools if possible.
211. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if urgent consideration will be given to the establishment of a special school in County Monaghan, in view of the well-documented need for such school provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30762/24]
View answerEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.
My department and the NCSE continue to monitor and review the need for further new special schools and the expansion of existing special schools in all areas of the country including County Monaghan.
In planning for increased special school places, the department and NCSE review all of the available data on the growing need for special school places across the country. This involves a detailed analysis of enrolment trends and the potential for existing special schools in a region to expand.
My department and the NCSE are progressing this review work ahead of determining where additional capacity is required in existing special schools or in what regions a new special school may need to be established for the 2025/26 school year.
It is estimated that a further 300 new special school places may be required nationwide each year for the coming years. When looking to provide additional capacity the department’s preferred option is to increase provision in existing special schools if possible.
An important consideration when deciding to establish or expand provision in an existing special school is the distances that some students are travelling in order to access a special school placement.
My department and the NCSE are continually reviewing where additional capacity is required in existing special schools or in what regions a new special school may need to be established over the coming years.
212. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Brendan Smith den Aire Oideachais na bearta a chuirfidh sí i bhfeidhm chun cuidiú le níos mó gaelscoileanna agus gaelcholáistí a bhunú; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [30770/24]
View answerÓ 2011 i leith, tá socruithe i bhfeidhm chun scoileanna nua a bhunú ina ndéanfar éileamh áiteanna scoile a thuar bunaithe ar chleachtaí déimeagrafacha a dhéanfaidh mo Roinn.
Ní bhunaítear scoileanna nua ach i gceantair ina bhfuil fás déimeagrafach, mar ní mór tosaíocht a thabhairt do na hacmhainní atá ar fáil d’infrastruchtúr scoile chun áit scoile a chinntiú do gach leanbh.
Tugann na socruithe seo deis do phátrúin iarratas a dhéanamh ar phátrúnacht scoileanna nua. Leagann na critéir a úsáidtear agus cinneadh á dhéanamh ar phátrúnacht scoileanna nua béim ar leith ar roghanna pátrúnacht agus teanga - Gaeilge nó Béarla - na dtuismitheoirí mar aon le hanailís ar an soláthar atá ann cheana féin, lena n-áirítear soláthar trí mheán na Gaeilge, sna limistéir ina bhfuil na scoileanna á mbunú.
Ní mór d’fhormhór na n-iarbhunscoileanna nua acmhainn rollaithe de 600 go 1,000 scoláire a bheith acu. D’fhéadfaí tairseach níos ísle de 400 scoláire a chur i bhfeidhm i gcás Gaelcholáistí, ag féachaint don rogha eile maidir le haonad lán-Ghaeilge, nó Aonad, a bhunú i scoil atá ag feidhmiú trí mheán an Bhéarla. Is féidir le pátrún iar-bhunscoile ar bith dul i dteagmháil le mo Roinn chun bunú Aonaid i scoil atá ann cheana féin a fhiosrú.
Tá obair idir lámha i mo Roinn maidir le polasaí nua a fhorbairt don oideachas trí mheán na Gaeilge lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht. Beidh an polasaí mar chuid de chreat foriomlán na Straitéise 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge agus tógfaidh sé ar éachtaí an Pholasaí don Oideachas Gaeltachta. I measc na gcuspóirí don pholasaí nua tá iniúchadh ar an gcaoi inar féidir deiseanna do bhunú Gaelscoileanna agus Gaelcholáistí a mhéadú mar chuid den phróiseas pátrúnachta.
D’fhoilsigh mo Roinn sraith tuarascálacha le déanaí, a d’ullmhaigh institiúid taighde Sealbhú in OCBÁC, a bheidh mar bhonn eolais d’fhorbairt an pholasaí nua. I measc na dtuarascálacha sin tá athbhreithniú ar litríocht idirnáisiúnta ar oideachas trí mheán na mionteangacha, tuarascálacha ar na céimeanna éagsúla den chomhairliúchán poiblí a rinne mo Roinn chun bonn eolais a chur faoi fhorbairt polasaí, agus sraith moltaí polasaí a d’eascair as sin. Agus an polasaí nua á fhorbairt, bainfidh mo Roinn leas as na tuarascálacha seo, mar aon leis an bhfaisnéis a roinnfidh páirtithe leasmhara ag cruinnithe déthaobhacha.
Déanfar an t-eolas seo a mheas i bhfianaise an tsoláthair reatha don oideachas trí mheán na Gaeilge agus na réamh-mheastacháin ar éileamh ar an gcóras oideachais amach anseo, chomh maith le comhthéacs buiséadach agus reachtaíochta mo Roinne.
