Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
186. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the role his Department is playing in ensuring we meet the objective of 20% of recruits to the public sector being competent in Irish by 2030, as set out in the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021. [34709/26]
View answerMy Department recognises the important role of the tertiary education sector in supporting the Government’s target that 20% of recruits to the public sector be competent in Irish by 2030, as set out in the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021 and reflected in the National Plan for Irish Language Public Services.
My Department is an active player in this space, and the work of the higher education sector is important in the development of a workforce with the language skills required to meet the 20% competency target.
The Higher Education Authority Act 2022 places a statutory obligation on the HEA to support higher education institutions to teach, promote and use the Irish language. My Department supports higher education institutions, via the HEA, through both core funding and specific funding streams for Irish language initiatives. This includes almost €1.8 million allocated in 2024 and 2025 to Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge at the University of Galway, as well as the HEA’s annual allocation of €900,000 aimed at supporting a greater use of the Irish language among students and staff of universities and smaller colleges.
My Department is also working to ensure learners have access to relevant professional Irish courses. Key initiatives include the new public sector apprenticeship Irish stream, micro-credentials, and FET qualifications in professional Irish.
In addition, my Department is undertaking a range of new actions to further progress this work, namely: working with the Department of Education and Youth to examine the transition of students from Irish-language post-primary to tertiary level; undertaking research to better understand existing and future demand for Irish medium education at tertiary level, which is due to report in 2027; fourth, prioritising Irish-medium courses in the assessment of expressions of interest processes for areas of skills need; and fifth, having regard to the sustainability and use of Irish in the forthcoming national tertiary strategy.
The Deputy may be aware that the current expression of interest process seeking proposals from higher education institutions to build training capacity for health and social care professionals will prioritise proposals for provision through the medium of Irish.
Finally, work to establish a sectoral working group with the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht under Action 4.3.3 of the Action Plan for Irish Language Public Services 2026–2028 is well underway. The purpose of the group is to consider how the full range of tertiary education provision across higher education, further education and training, apprenticeship, upskilling, reskilling and lifelong learning can support the delivery of the National Plan for Irish Language Public Services, and in particular targets relating to increasing public sector competence in Irish. Any further policy interventions from my Department will be based upon the outcomes of this work.
