Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2026
359. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the estimated cost of increasing the provision of Irish Medium Education from 6% to 20%; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49129/26]
View answerAccording to the 2025/26 enrolment data published on the gov.ie website, approximately 6% of the school population is currently being taught through Irish both inside and outside the Gaeltacht. Identifying the cost of bringing this figure to 20% would require substantial analysis to determine parental interest, and both capital and current cost requirements. Significant analysis of the school estate would be required to identify suitable opportunities for Irish medium education, the expansion of which would also create a need for increased staffing, including principals, teachers (both mainstream and special educational needs), SNAs, secretaries, caretakers and administrative personnel. Given the scale and extent of variables involved it is not possible to estimate these costs at the present time.
By way of general information, the Policy for Irish-Medium Education outside of the Gaeltacht was launched in November 2025. The policy sets out my department's vision that high-quality Irish-medium education will be available to all, in inclusive and multicultural educational settings. I am committed to my department working with stakeholders to achieve that vision, and to make progress towards delivering on the commitments of the Programme for Government.
The Taskforce on Models of Provision for Irish-Medium Education, which was established under the Policy for Irish-Medium Education outside of the Gaeltacht, is providing a platform for collaboration between my department and key stakeholders to identify a pathway to increase the provision of Irish-medium education. I look forward to the outcome of this taskforce to help strengthen and expand the provision of Irish-medium education.
In addition, parental preferences from the primary school survey have now been published and this provides a comprehensive evidence base to underpin decision-making on the level of demand for Irish medium provision. Primary schools have been given an opportunity to reflect on the outcome of the survey and indicate to the Department by 31 October if, following local consultations, they are interested in change - including in relation to moving to Irish medium provision. This can provide a cost-effective mechanism for increasing Irish medium provision.
