To ask the Minister of Education how her Department encourages and facilitates irish-medium education.

I, and my officials, take very seriously the statutory duty to encourage and facilitate the development of Irish-medium education and this manifests in a range of actions, funding support and policy adaptations for the sector.

My Department’s aim is to respond positively to parental demand for Irish-medium provision, for example in home to school transport policy, and in considering temporary variations and Development Proposals for the Irish-medium sector.

The Irish-medium pre-school sector is supported and developed through the provision of a pre-school support service funded by my Department. This service provides Early Years Specialist support and training to the staff and management committees of Irish-medium pre-school settings; development of advice, guidance and resources; and representation of the Irish-medium pre-school sector. In addition, since the ‘Sure Start Developmental Programme for 2-3 Year Olds’ was introduced within the Sure Start projects in 2007, provision has extended to include delivery of the Programme within certain Sure Start areas through the medium of Irish, where local demand has been established.

A further range of bespoke, sector specific investment continues to be provided. This includes annual funding and support to Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta (CnaG) to encourage and promote Irish-medium education, and specific funding to the Education Authority (EA) and CCEA to provide Irish-medium support. The Shared Education and Sectoral Support Team in the EA also work with CnaG to support Irish-medium schools.

Work continues with education partners to address concerns such as teacher supply and to deliver recommendations relating to Irish-medium education contained in “A Fair Start” Action Plan. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in this financial year my Department has allocated an additional £450k to support language acquisition for pupils in Irish-medium schools and units.

My Department also requires all its Arm’s Length Bodies to support the delivery of this statutory duty, and to report back on actions taken during the business year.