580. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding Department-led assessment of demand for Irish-medium primary schools. [65148/26]

The Programme for Government 2025, Securing Ireland’s Future, includes a commitment to establish Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí where there is demand and support parents choosing Irish-medium education for their children.

My department's Primary School Survey, the largest of its kind ever undertaken in Ireland, was school specific and aims to assess parental demand and preferences for different types of primary school provision. Through the survey, my department has obtained clear information on the preferences of parents and guardians about the primary schools which their children currently attend, or will attend in coming years, on a number of important areas of primary school provision, including language of instruction (Irish or English).

Parental preferences from the primary school survey have been published and this provides a comprehensive evidence base to underpin decision-making on the level of demand for Irish medium provision. Primary schools have been given an opportunity to reflect on the outcome of the survey and indicate to the Department by 31 October if, following local consultations, they are interested in change - including in relation to moving to Irish medium provision.