Shortage of third-level education through Irish having a 'crippling' impact, committee hears

The committee heard 'the State will fail utterly in reaching the goal of 20% of new recruits to the public and civil service having competency in the Irish language.'

The shortage of third-level education through Irish will have a “serious and crippling” impact on the State’s recruitment targets, the Oireachtas committee on further and higher education has been warned.

The committee met to discuss the Irish language in third-level education.

In an opening statement to the committee, Pádraig Mac Brádaig of Aontas na Mac Léinn in Éirinn (formerly the Union of Students’ in Ireland) said less than 1% of third level students undertake a course taught through Irish.

The majority of these students are either studying the language itself, or studying Irish with another subject taught through English.

“We believe that there is an urgent need for legislation to bring about a change in this situation as it doesn’t look likely that the Irish language will ever be a priority for higher and further education institutions, the Higher Education Authority, or the Department.”

A legal definition and structure for Irish language officers in third level institutions is much needed to ensure they will have sufficient staff and funding for the necessary development to be made, he added. 

There is a demand for modules, courses and academic, health and mental health services to be available through Irish, Mr Mac Brádaig said. 

"However, that choice seldom exists and to the extent to which it does, it cannot be relied upon. 

"The State will fail utterly in reaching the goal of 20% of new recruits to the public and civil service having competency in the Irish language if steps are not taken to this end. 

“The discussion that has taken place thus far, and with only four years left until 2030, has shown that the current legislation is by no means sufficient to ensure that institutions undertake to train the next generation of Irish-language professionals.”

In a submission to the committee, Conradh na Gaeilge called for at least 5% of third level courses to be available through the medium of Irish.

There are significant shortfalls in the current course provision, despite “the huge demand for it”, it added.

"All you have to do is speak to any young person nowadays at Higher Options or at any careers fair in this country to hear their interest in continuing with Irish at third level."

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Foras na Gaeilge told the committee that currently learning Irish outside of school or third level degrees is dealt with in an "ad hoc manner".

"No organisation is held responsible," it said in a submission to the committee. There are also "no quality assurance standards" and no "coordination or syllabuses available". 

The provision of classes is entirely left to community and voluntary organisations, it added. 

"There is now an opportunity to address the issue of learning Irish outside the primary and secondary school system, as has been done in Wales." 

In Wales, education-related legislation includes a State-sponsored approach to learning Welsh outside of school. There is a National Institute for Welsh Learning which is responsible for supporting people of all ages to learn Welsh, and for developing innovation in Welsh learning, and each local authority must have a plan for adult and community learning."