I propose to take Questions Nos. 314, 316, 318 and 319 together.
There is currently no categorisation of Irish-medium schools outside of the Gaeltacht (Gaelscoileanna) at primary level. The school authority is responsible for ensuring that teaching and learning is in line with the school’s mission in the way set out in the Deputy’s questions.
Under the Policy on Gaeltacht Education, Irish-medium primary schools within Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas may apply for Gaeltacht School status under the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme. Status as a Gaeltacht School can be achieved by meeting the language based criteria laid out in the Policy for Gaeltacht Education. The first language-based criterion requires that Gaeltacht primary schools implement a two-year total immersion programme in Irish in infant classes, during which no English is taught. The language-based criteria also specify that a total-immersion approach be implemented throughout the school, where all areas of learning, apart from English, are taught through Irish. Additional language support hours, to be used specifically for Irish language development, are also provided to schools participating in the Scheme in accordance with school enrolment.