577. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth her views on the importance of promoting the provision of Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65151/26]

I can confirm to the Deputy that the Government is fully committed to promoting Irish-medium education and to providing increased opportunities for children and young people to receive their education through the medium of Irish. There are commitments in the Programme for Government 2025 – Securing Ireland’s Future - to expand opportunities for pupils and students to attend Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí, to establish Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí where there is demand, and also, to support parents choosing Irish-medium education for their children.

The Policy for Irish-Medium Education outside of the Gaeltacht was launched in November 2025, setting out the vision that high-quality Irish-medium education will be available to all, in inclusive and multicultural educational settings. I am committed to my department working collaboratively with stakeholders to achieve this vision, and to progress towards achieving the Programme for Government commitments.

A key action under the Policy for Irish-Medium Education outside of the Gaeltacht has been the establishment of a Taskforce on Models of Provision for Irish-Medium Education. This taskforce enables collaboration between my department and key stakeholders to identify and co-design approaches to increase the provision of Irish-medium education.

It is intended that the taskforce will make recommendations to me, setting out:

• the models needed to provide Irish-medium education at primary and post-primary level, including a discussion of the need for changes to existing models if necessary.

• definitions of all models of provision, including related language-based criteria.

• how inclusive, high-quality Irish-medium education can be provided within each model along the continuum.

• what supports schools may need to implement the models effectively.

• how to effectively assess the demand for Irish-medium education.

• criteria for establishing new Irish-medium education provision through the various models identified, including consideration of the need for changes to the patronage process.

• procedures to support schools in the effective transition from an English-medium to an Irish-medium model.

• procedures and criteria for how schools/educational settings can transition from one model to another on the continuum, in order to increase the provision of Irish-medium education, and the supports they may need to do so.

• mechanisms to be put in place to facilitate expansion of provision of Irish-medium education.

A range of organisations and stakeholders whose input is important in agreeing recommendations in this area have nominated members to the taskforce. I am grateful to the members of the taskforce for their time and commitment in contributing to its work.

I look forward to the outcome of this taskforce, and I hope that stakeholders will take the opportunities it provides to maintain and strengthen the future of Irish-medium education provision.