Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 July 2026
71. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding any research carried out by her Department into the demand for new Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52704/26]
View answerThe Programme for Government 2025, Securing Ireland’s Future, includes a commitment to establish Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí where there is demand and support parents choosing Irish-medium education for their children.
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.
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. A range of organisations and stakeholders whose input will be important in agreeing recommendations in this area have nominated members to the taskforce. I look forward to the outcome of this taskforce to help strengthen and expand the provision of Irish-medium education.
My department’s Primary School Survey ran from 4 November to 16 December 2025. The survey, which is the largest of its kind ever undertaken in Ireland, was school specific and aimed to assess parental demand and preferences for different types of primary school provision.
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.
The findings of the primary school survey, particularly parents’ expressed preferences for Irish-medium education, will play a significant role in shaping any future decisions in this area with regards to both primary and post-primary provision.
