Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
663. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 855 of 4 November 2025, if her Department will provide an update on the discussions with University College Cork about a proposed course (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12397/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraNumerous discussions took place between department officials and University College Cork (UCC) over the past several months regarding a postgraduate programme of primary Initial Teacher Education. As the Deputy has outlined, UCC initially made a proposal to run a Professional Master of Education (PME)(Primary) through English. The department outlined to the college that this would be unlikely to gain approval and that the department would look more favourably on new programmes being introduced in areas which are line with departmental priorities, giving due regard to teacher supply and demand.
It was in that context that UCC subsequently made a proposal to run a Máistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas (MGO)(Bunscoil) through Irish. It was the department’s understanding that this request had developed on from, and replaced, the request to run a PME (Primary) through English. The proposal that was submitted to me for consideration therefore related to the proposed MGO through Irish. Last week, I granted approval to UCC to seek accreditation from the Teaching Council for this programme, confirmation of which has been sent to both UCC and the Teaching Council.
