156. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department has examined the reason many students complete primary and post-primary education with limited confidence in speaking Gaeilge; and the specific measures being considered to improve oral fluency and everyday use of the language in schools. [74869/26]

Factors affecting primary and post-primary students’ confidence in speaking Irish have been examined extensively in research and consultation with stakeholders during the development of policy initiatives and new curricula for Irish.

This includes research and consultation that have informed the development of the Action Plan for Irish in English-Medium Schools and the Policy for Irish-Medium Education outside of the Gaeltacht, published in November 2025. It also includes research and consultation that have informed the development of curriculum specifications for Irish at primary level, junior cycle and senior cycle, and ongoing research being carried out by An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) on Irish in English-medium and Irish-medium schools. Reports on the findings of this research are available on the websites of my department, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, and COGG.

This research indicates that the learning of Irish as a second language is complex and that there are many reasons affecting students’ confidence in speaking it. These include attitudes, motivation, exposure to the language, opportunity to use it, the teaching methodologies used, and the language and pedagogical skill of the teacher.

One of my priorities is to build greater confidence in spoken Irish among students, and to ensure that they experience Irish as a living language at school.

My department has a range of measures in place to improve oral fluency and everyday use of Irish among students, and more are being progressed. These include:

• a dedicated team for Irish in Oide to support teachers and school leaders in English-medium schools

• the development by COGG of a new resource for oral and listening skills

• the development by COGG of a new resource hub for Irish in English-medium schools

• supports for teachers to share effective practice

• awareness campaigns for schools on the benefits of learning Irish and opportunities to use Irish

• expansion of the Gaelbhratach scheme which encourages use of Irish outside the classroom

• the launch of www.Irishforparents.ie, a new online hub to assist parents in supporting their children’s learning of Irish.