Determining the number of students studying Irish at third level is not straightforward, as Irish is offered as an optional component of many programmes, including most B.A. joint honours programmes. However, I am aware of the most recent HEA enrolment figures, which indicate that there were an estimated 505 students studying courses through Irish in the 2024/2025 academic year, with a further 2,525 studying courses partially through Irish.
My Department recognises the important role of the tertiary education sector in supporting the Government’s target that 20% of recruits to the public sector be competent in Irish by 2030, as set out in the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021 and reflected in theNational Plan for Irish Language Public Services.
My Department supports higher education institutions, via the HEA, through both core funding and specific funding streams for Irish language initiatives. This includes the HEA block grant, an annual allocation of €900,000 to support the use of Irish among students and staff, and an earmarked allocation of €1.766 million annually to the University of Galway to support the activities of Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge.
My department has committed to working with the Department of Education and Youth to look at the needs of students transitioning from Irish-language post-primary to tertiary level. I have also approved funding for the HEA to commission research to better understand existing and future demand for Irish-medium education at tertiary level. This is being done by researchers in the University of Galway and is due to report in 2027. Irish-medium courses will be prioritised in the assessment of expressions of interest processes for areas of skills need. The forthcoming national tertiary strategy will also have regard to the sustainability and use of the Irish language.
Finally, work is well underway to establish a sectoral working group with the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht under Action 4.3.3 of the Action Plan for Irish Language Public Services 2026–2028. The purpose of the group is to consider how the full range of tertiary education provision across higher education, further education and training, apprenticeship, upskilling, reskilling and lifelong learning can support the delivery of the National Plan for Irish Language Public Services, and in particular targets relating to increasing public sector competence in Irish.
Membership of the group will include senior officials from relevant Departments, agencies and sectoral stakeholders across Government and the tertiary sector. Student engagement is an important part of the higher education framework, and my officials will consider appropriate arrangements for engagement with student representatives as the work of the group progresses.
Any further policy interventions from my Department will be based upon the outcomes of this work.
