Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2026
632. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she supports full CEFR alignment for the Irish curricula in primary and secondary education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40137/26]
View answerThe Programme for Government contains a commitment to work towards the alignment of the school curricula at different levels with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The CEFR provides an internationally recognised framework for language learning.
In line with this commitment, Is féidir liom, Is féidir linn, my department’s new Action Plan for Irish in English-Medium Schools, includes an action to work towards aligning Irish language curricula, and associated teaching supports and assessment arrangements, with the CEFR to enhance spoken Irish in schools. The inclusion of this action gives recognition to the potential of CEFR to support the effective teaching and learning of Irish.
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) will advance work on achieving closer alignment of the Irish curriculum with the CEFR across the primary, junior cycle and senior cycle sectors.
Aligning language curricula with the CEFR is complex and a phased approach will help to ensure that the necessary structures and supports are in place to support the implementation of the alignment and that schools and classrooms are ready for the change.
The NCCA has commenced a process towards the alignment of Leaving Certificate Irish to the CEFR. This work is taking place under the NCCA-convened Subject Development Group for Leaving Certificate Irish as part of the ongoing Senior Cycle Redevelopment programme.
My department will continue to engage with the NCCA and all relevant agencies and organisations, and to draw on relevant expertise as the alignment work advances.
