A new policy and a plan to strengthen the teaching, learning and use of Irish language in schools is due to be launched.
Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee will unveil the policy for Irish-medium education and an action plan for Irish in English-medium schools on the shared campus of Gaelscoil Bhrian Bóroimhe and Swords Educate Together National School.
A department spokesperson said the actions together represent "a significant milestone" as they aim to expand supports, resources and opportunities to use the language.
The new policy set out a vision that "high-quality Irish-medium education will be available to all in inclusive and multicultural educational settings".
Minister McEntee said the department will work to ensure that "children have more opportunities to experience Irish as a living language outside of the classroom".
"Under this policy, we will ensure that an ecosystem of appropriate supports and resources is available to schools and their communities," she added.
In tandem, the minister will also launch a three-year action plan for the Irish language for all primary and post-primary schools that teach through English, comprising more than 900,000 students.
Ms McEntee said the action plan sets out a practical path to build confidence and enthusiasm around the use of Irish in English-medium schools.
The plan reflects views that were articulated during a public consultation that involved almost 700 participants from children to school leaders.
"We want every student in every classroom to feel that Irish belongs to them, and to have a positive and rewarding experience of learning it," the minister said.
The supports provided will include language support hours, additional resources, the provision of guidance and teacher learning opportunities.
The department said schools will receive guidance and support in aligning current practices with the plan's priorities.
Several actions have already started, including language support hours in Irish-medium schools outside of the Gaeltacht on a phased basis.
Funding has been provided to Gaeloideachas to develop a new resource to help parents support their children’s learning and the acquirement of Irish.
The Foraois pilot project was launched in conjunction with Dublin City Council in which a cluster of Gaelscoileanna are working together to build and support Irish-speaking communities.
The e-hub project was expanded to schools outside of the Gaeltacht where additional subjects were made available through Irish via blended learning.
An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta alongside Oide have been given the capacity to appoint additional staff to support schools.
It is intended to increase participation of schools in schemes such as Gaelbhratach and the Content and Language Integrated Learning initiative.
A key action under the policy is the establishment of a taskforce on models of provision for Irish-medium education.
The taskforce, which will hold its first meeting later this month, is charged with presenting a pathway to grow the Irish-medium education sector.
