Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 December 2025
161. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the primary school survey will allow for an assessment of the need for a Gaelcholáiste in Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70625/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Primary School Survey was launched by my department on 4 November and will close on Tuesday 16 December. Through the survey, my department is seeking clear information on the preferences of parents and guardians about the primary schools which their children currently attend, or will attend in coming years, on a number of important areas of primary school provision, including language of instruction (Irish or English). The results of the survey will help my department plan how education is provided at primary level.
My department is inviting parents, guardians, primary school staff and primary school Board of Management members to complete a survey.
The survey – the largest of its kind ever undertaken in Ireland – is school specific and aims to assess parental demand and preferences for different types of primary school provision including patronage/ethos, co-education or single-sex school provision and language of instruction English or Irish.
As 92% of primary schools provide education primarily through English my department is seeking clear information from parents and guardians of children who currently attend these primary schools or who will attend these schools in coming years, on whether they would prefer their school to provide education through Irish.
The survey preferences on providing education primarily through the English language or through the Irish language will inform potential future local consultation around opportunities to increase the provision of education through Irish.
The survey is not a final step. Where there is clear support for change to be considered, a further process of inclusive dialogue will begin.
