Irish Language

477. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the research undertaken on the role of Irish language youth workers and volunteers outside Gaeltacht communities, considering the new pilot on the role of Irish language youth workers in Gaeltacht communities; the research that will be taken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63468/25]

478. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth given the research pilot on the role of Irish language youth workers in Gaeltacht communities underway, if she will provide a timeline for this; when interim findings will be expected; when future Irish language policy and practice will be shaped by this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63469/25]

479. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on actions taken, or to be taken, to meet Action 2.6.2.3 of the Action Plan for Irish in English ­Medium Schools; the supports that will be provided to ensure that greater awareness of and encouragement of participation in existing Irish language youth clubs that is planned will be met; if there will be additional…

480. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she can provide an update on actions taken, or to be taken, to meet Action 2.6.2.4 of the Action Plan for Irish in English ­Medium Schools; what supports will be made available to support the establishment of Irish language youth clubs and afterschool activities in areas where these are not currently available; if there will…

481. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if funding for Irish language youth clubs and afterschool activities will be supported outside of the Youth Affairs budget, or if funding for the implementation of the relevant actions of the Action Plan for Irish in English ­Medium Schools comes from Youth Affairs alone; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63472/2…

482. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the percentage of the current youth services grant scheme that is being spent on Irish language youth work; her plans to increase this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63473/25]

483. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the engagement she has had with Irish language youth organisations as part of her engagement with relevant stakeholders as part of her broader work to promote inclusion and cultural participation among young people; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63474/25]

514. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to examine along with his Ministerial colleagues with responsibility for the named Departments (details supplied), the proposal that will not alone enrich students by encouraging a greater understanding and learning of our native language and culture, but will also encourage Gaeltacht areas themselv…

478. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of students who were granted an exemption from the study of Irish at primary level over the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61005/25]

3. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth her position in relation to the exemptions system for the Irish language as it stands; her views on whether it is fit for purpose; her plans to combat the increasing number of students seeking exemptions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59852/25]

566. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the number of males and females that are fluent in Irish from the most recent HEO recruitment campaign within the civil service that are still on the panel; and the date this panel will expire. [59922/25]

651. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans to tackle the increasing and worrying levels of student receiving exemptions for the Irish language; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57944/25]

653. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of pupils studying in Irish-medium schools over the past 20 years, by school type, by year, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57946/25]

654. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she has imminent plans to open any new Irish medium schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57947/25]

656. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth the work being undertaken to deliver the Programme for Government commitment to increase dedicated Irish-medium teacher training programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57964/25]

696. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of students who currently hold an Irish language exemption for the 2025-2026 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58249/25]

744. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Education and Youth given the concerns expressed by the Irish-speaking community about the establishment of Aonaid (details supplied), to clarify whether new Aonaid will be established under the new policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58634/25]

745. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Education and Youth the actions she intends to take to ensure an increase in the number of Irish-medium schools given that it is stated in the 20-year Strategy for the Irish Language that the number of such schools will be increased; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58635/25]

792. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the criteria currently used to approve exemptions from studying Irish (primary and secondary); the timeframes these criteria are audited or reviewed by her Department, the steps being taken to ensure consistency and fairness across schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58938/25]

793. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she has evaluated the impact of the rising number of Irish exemptions on bilingual policy goals, Irish language proficiency targets; and if her Department plans to propose reforms (e.g. differentiated instruction, optional exam modes, or phased reduction) to reverse exemption growth; and if she will make a statement on the ma…

794. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the supports (special education resources, differentiated curricula, teaching methods) which are provided to students with learning difficulties or literacy challenges to enable them to continue Irish rather than be exempted; the number of such supports which have been funded in the past three years; the plans which exist to exp…

795. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans to commission an independent review of the exemption system for Irish in schools (primary and secondary), including its impacts on language retention and equity; the terms of reference that review will have; and the timeframe for when it will begin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58941/25]

883. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will consider producing a policy for the Irish language in the youth work sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59856/25]

2164. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the specific requirements placed on non-governmental organisations in receipt of Government funding to ensure that they cater for Irish speakers in Gaeltacht service towns and networks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57853/25]

709. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is aware that, 100 years after the foundation of the State, there is still no statutory provision for childcare services through the medium of Irish, outside of the Gaeltacht; if she accepts that this represents a significant gap in the State's commitment to the Irish language; and the steps she intends to …