Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2026
64. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update in respect of the development of policy for immersive Irish-medium early years education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47344/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department is working in collaboration with other relevant Departments and Agencies to develop a national plan to further the development of Irish language provision in the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) sector. The development of such a plan is a commitment in the 5-Year Action Plan for the Irish Language.
The national plan is expected to support the delivery of two commitments in First 5 (the Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families): “Introduce measures to ensure that children in Gaeltacht areas have access to Irish-medium ELC provision” and “Develop mechanisms to provide Irish-language supports to ELC provision where there are high proportions of children who are learning through the medium of Irish”.
The plan is also expected to support the delivery of commitments in the Programme for Government to: “Support naíonraí and creches to ensure early education access in Gaeltacht communities and beyond” and “Plan the development of State-led facilities in tandem with the school building programme, including Irish-medium naíonraí”.
A survey of Irish-medium ELC and SAC settings including childminders was undertaken in 2022-2023 to obtain a baseline of the current level of Irish-medium provision in the sector.
A public consultation and a programme of research, including a literature review, took place in 2024. A consultation with children took place in 2025.
In addition to the focus on the provision of Irish-medium ELC and SAC services, it is anticipated that the new national plan will also include measures to support English-medium ELC services to work within the updated Aistear. The updated Aistear includes an aim of supporting young children to have an awareness and appreciation of Gaeilge and our cultural and linguistic heritage.
It is intended that the Plan and associated consultation reports will be published in the coming months.
The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG) has responsibility for the Irish language. DRCDG provides additional supports for Irish-medium ELC services in the Gaeltacht through its agencies and organisations such as Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta.
In June 2024, DRCDG announced five-year funding of €103k to provide a comprehensive support and development service to naíonraí outside of the Gaeltacht, to be administered by Gaeloideachas. Furthermore, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality has provided funding to complement the DRCDG funding to Gaeloideachas in 2025 and 2026 to support Irish-medium ELC settings outside of the Gaeltacht.
The Department will continue to work with DRCDG to ensure alignment of policy and supports for Irish-medium ELC services, whether inside or outside Gaeltacht areas.
