Gaeilge4All: Defending Irish in Our Education System

The state of Irish language education in the south has reached an emergency level. The number of students exempted from Irish, the decline in Irish-medium education, and misguided policy decisions are eroding the place of Irish in our schools. If we do not act now, we risk further marginalizing our national language.

What is #Gaeilge4All?

The #Gaeilge4All campaign is calling on the Minister for Education Helen McEntee to develop and implement an integrated and coherent policy for Irish in the education system from early childhood education to third level

To strengthen and defend the Irish language in our education system and to ensure that every student can have a positive, meaningful and fulfilling Irish language learning experience from preschool to third level

A More Inclusive System for All Learners
Students with additional learning needs could focus on spoken Irish instead of being exempt. Late arrivals to Ireland would be given a fair opportunity to learn Irish instead of being excluded from it.
A Stronger Irish Language Education Policy from Start to Finish
A CEFR-based model would ensure a seamless learning experience from early childhood to third level. Students would be able to track their progress clearly at every stage.
Irish as a Core Subject, Not an Optional Extra
The exemption crisis would be addressed, stopping the unchecked rise in students opting out. More students would develop practical Irish skills they can use beyond school.
Expansion of Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí
Every student who wants Irish-medium education should have access to it. We want to ncrease Irish-medium education from 6% to 20% over 20 years.

🚨Alarming Trends🚨

23% of Leaving Cert students did not take the Irish exam in 2024.
18% of Junior Cert students did not take Irish in 2024, while 99% took English and 98% took Maths.
Irish class time in primary schools has been reduced by 30 minutes per week from 3rd to 6th class—resulting in over 70 fewer hours of Irish teaching before secondary school.

Develop a New Irish Language Education Policy

A structured, long-term vision must be implemented to ensure continuity, quality, and accessibility of Irish education. This should include:

An expert group established within 3 months of the new Government to develop the policy.
Use of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) to ensure structured learning progress from early childhood to third level.

Expand Irish-Medium Education

Increase the number of students in Irish-medium education from 6% to 20% over the next 20 years.
Provide new Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí where demand exists.

Appoint a Minister of State for Irish in Education