Minister O’Sullivan and Minister McHugh launch Policy Proposals for Gaeltacht Education
May 7, 2015
The Minister for Education and Skill, Jan O Sullivan TD, and the Minister for Gaeltacht Affairs, Joe McHugh TD, have today launched a discussion document, “Policy proposals for Education Provision in Gaeltacht Areas”.
The proposals are intended to strengthen Irish-medium education in the Gaeltacht as part of the 20-Year Strategy for Irish.
Research conducted to support the preparation of the proposals showed that Gaeltacht schools face considerable challenges to cope with students who come from homes with very varied levels of Irish-language skill. Children raised through Irish are now a minority within Gaeltacht schools. There is increasing use of English in Gaeltacht communities and pressure on schools to move to English-medium instruction.
The proposals in the discussion paper suggest a range of measures to ensure that students receive a high-quality Irish-medium education in Gaeltacht schools:
· A Gaeltacht school would be defined as one that operates fully through the medium of Irish
· Primary schools in the Gaeltacht would have an immersion period, during which English would not be taught, in infant classes
· Native speakers would receive additional teaching supports
· Schools in the Gaeltacht currently teaching through English would be encouraged and supported to move on a phased basis to Irish-medium education
· English-medium schools could be provided alongside Irish-medium schools, if there is sufficient demand
Speaking at the launch, Minister O’Sullivan said: “I very much value the linguistic and cultural importance of the Gaeltacht. I know that schools can play a vital role in supporting the future of Irish as a living language in Gaeltacht areas. But these schools face many challenges and this ambitious set of proposals has the potential to support schools as they face these challenges.”
The Minister continued: “The proposals, if implemented, would give Gaeltacht schools a valuable opportunity to clearly establish their Irish language identity and to strengthen their capacity to provide a high-quality education through Irish. I believe that the work of schools in delivering the policy proposals could complement the language planning processes ongoing in Gaeltacht communities”.
Speaking at the launch, Minister McHugh said: “The draft proposals are a clear indication of the implementation of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language. My Department and the Department of Education and Skills are working closely together on an ongoing basis to progress the implementation of education under the Strategy within the available resources. In this context, I would like to welcome the widespread consultation process which the Department of Education and Skills will be undertaking in advance of the final policy being forwarded to Government for approval.”
The proposals suggest that Gaeltacht schools that teach through Irish should be provided with additional resources. These could include language supports for native speakers, improved teaching resources and professional development for teachers and principals, and a curriculum relevant to native speakers.
The proposals have been shaped by major research studies on the experiences of Gaeltacht schools and minority language contexts globally, such as in Wales, Scotland, New Zealand, the Basque country and Canada. The Department of Education and Skills has also co-operated with the Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht, bodies such as An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) and independent researchers to develop the proposals.
Over the next six months, consultations on the proposals will take place. This will include a survey, stakeholder meetings and a forum in the autumn.
Minister O’Sullivan concluded: “This is a very important issue for Gaeltacht communities, and I want to make sure that we develop the right policy to support them. We have carried out research but I want to hear the views of Gaeltacht schools and communities about these proposals, and I hope that they will get involved with the upcoming consultations.”
Notes for editor
Reports on the background research and the policy document are available at www.education.ie
The consultation survey can be accessed at
– See more at: http://www.education.ie/en/Press-Events/Press-Releases/2015-Press-Releases/PR2015-05-05.html#sthash.VgGTwEPU.dpuf
