INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE
IN
CONSULTATION
AND
SURVEY
‘Policy Proposals
for
Educational Provision
in Gaeltacht Areas’
5 May to 3 July 2015
1. INTRODUCTION
Over the course of 2014/2015, the Department of Education and Skills has developed a range
of policy proposals designed to strengthen educational provision in the early years, and at
primary and post-primary levels in the Gaeltacht. These policy proposals are outlined in ‘Policy
Proposals on Educational Provision in the Gaeltacht’.
The Gaeltacht education policy proposals have been informed by the following four major
research studies completed by the Department as part of the Gaeltacht education review during
the same period:
 School Provision in Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas – Current Supply and Future
Demand
 Review of Education in the Gaeltacht: Review of National Literature
 Education Provision through Minority Languages: Review of International Research
 Case Studies on Irish-medium Education Provision in Gaeltacht Primary and Post-Primary
Schools
These research reports together with the policy proposals on Gaeltacht education are available
to download at www.education.gov.ie or hard copies are available from:
Curriculum and Assessment Policy Unit
Department of Education and Skills
Marlborough Street
Dublin 1
or by email to moltai_oideachasgaeltachta@education.gov.ie
Consultation Period


All stakeholders are invited to comment on the consultation publication ‘Policy Proposals
on Educational Provision in the Gaeltacht’.
The consultation process is open from 5 May to 3 July 2015 and comprises:
1) Consultation survey
2) Written submissions
3) Consultation follow-up meetings with various stakeholder groups
4) Forum for stakeholders
 The survey questions are designed to stimulate debate and to promote reflection, so as to
generate ideas which will inform the development and thereafter implementation of the
policy on educational provision in the Gaeltacht.
 In addition to the survey, respondents are also invited to make separate online or written
submissions.
 Following receipt of submissions, a series of consultative meetings will be held with
various sectoral and stakeholder groups in DES. These consultative meetings will be
conducted through the medium of Irish and/or English as required to facilitate optimal
participation.
 When the findings of the online survey, submissions and consultative meetings have been
analysed and summarised, a Forum for stakeholders in the Clock Tower, Marlborough
Street will comprise the final stage of the consultation process. Its purpose will be to discuss
the findings from the submissions received.
A Gaeltacht education policy and implementation plan will then be finalised for consideration
by the Minister and Government by the end of 2015. The Gaeltacht education policy and
implementation plan will be considered by Government and when approved will be published.
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SURVEY QUESTIONS FOR CONSULTATION
The views of schools and stakeholders are being sought to inform the development of a national
Department of Education and Skills policy on educational provision in the Gaeltacht. Outlined
below are a number of key questions relating to the policy proposals. You are invited to provide
your feedback on each question. There is also a space at the end of this template for any
other more general comments you may wish to make that are relevant to the issue of
education provision in the Gaeltacht.
1) What do you see as the main role of a Gaeltacht school in supporting the
language planning process in Gaeltacht areas?
2) Do you support the future designation of a Gaeltacht school as one where
instruction is fully through the medium of Irish (with the exception of the
subject English)?
□ Yes
□ No
Please give reasons:
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3) The 2011 census shows that only 35% of people in Gaeltacht areas speak Irish
daily outside the education system.
In a future designation of a Gaeltacht school, where instruction will be fully
through the medium of Irish (except for the subject English), do you agree with
the principle that English-medium provision will be provided in tandem with
Irish-medium provision as a choice for parents, where there is a critical mass
and demand for such provision?
□ Yes
□ No
Please give reasons:
4) Do you think that the proposed supports provided for Irish-medium schools as
outlined in the ‘Policy Proposals for Educational Provision in Gaeltacht Areas’
are sufficient to support the provision of a quality education for all students
attending Gaeltacht schools?
□ Yes
□ No
Please give reasons:
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5) How can early-years education be strengthened to
(i) develop the Irish language proficiency of young children in Gaeltacht areas
(ii) to support Irish-medium education in the Gaeltacht?
6) Please add any other comments you may have below that you believe are
relevant to the development of the Gaeltacht education strategy.
Thank you for taking the time to complete this questionnaire. Your contribution
is much appreciated.
Your ideas, comments and submissions should be returned by e-mail to:
moltai_oideachasgaeltachta@education.gov.ie
or by post to:
Moltaí Polasaí don Oideachas Gaeltachta, Curriculum and Assessment Policy Unit,
Department of Education and Skills, Marlborough Street, Dublin 1
by close of business on 3 July, 2015.
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Please note that all submissions received may be released under the provisions of the
Freedom of Information Acts, 1997-2014, or may be published by the
Department. Personal details, such as email addresses and phone numbers will be
redacted.
Name of respondent:
Organisation (if applicable) or whose
views are being represented:
Email address:
Phone number:
Date of submission:
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