Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta presents to Stormont Education Committee

Representatives from Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta (CnaG) presented to the Assembly Education Committee last week, where the focus was on Special Educational Needs (SEN) in the Irish-medium sector. 

Maria Thomasson, CEO and Orla Nig Fhearraigh, Senior Education Officer addressed the gaps in provision for SEN in the sector, particularly in respect of assessment tools, teaching and learning resources, specialist provisions and the lack of suitably qualified and experienced personnel, who can offer assistance to Irish-medium children, through the medium of Irish. 

Reference was made on numerous occasions to CnaG’s 2025 research paper ‘The Provision for Special Educational Needs and Disability in Irish-medium Education,’ which examines in depth the numerous issues faced by the sector regarding SEN and presents a range of solutions. A copy of the report can be accessed here: Research

Questions from the Education Committee not only focused on SEN but also on work ongoing in the Department of Education on a strategy for Irish-medium education. CnaG will continue to advocate for a comprehensive strategy that will address the many issues facing the sector, not only in regards to SEN but also challenges relating to workforce, accommodation and teaching & learning resources. 

Pictured below, from left, are Ciarán Mackin and Jordy Ó Cathain, the Assembly translators, who provided a translation service for the CnaG’s presentation; Maria Thomasson, CEO and Orla Nig Fhearraigh, SEO. 

 

Major Research Report on Special Educational Needs in Irish-medium Education launched by Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta

Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta (CnaG) is today (29/11/2024) launching a research report on the important issue of Special Educational Needs (SEN) in the Irish-medium sector in the north. 

This research is entitled The Provision for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in Irish-medium Education and gives a comprehensive overview of the current range of SEN in the sector, the lack of provision to address these challenges and various mitigation proposals. 

This report was a joint effort by CnaG, led by Orla Nig Fhearraigh, Senior Education Officer; Dr Sinéad Nic Aindriú, Assistant Professor in Irish Language Teaching, Dublin City University and SEN practitioners in the Irish-medium education sector locally.  

The main focus of this research is on the educational support bodies in the north, in the context of reviews currently being undertaken by the Department of Education and the Education Authority in relation to SEN. CnaG now intends to present the report and its recommendations to the Minister for Education and educational support bodies, as well as to local politicians, other educational organisations and shareholders, so that the specific needs of Irish-medium education are included in future SEN initiatives. 

A copy of the research report can be found here: The Provision for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in Irish-medium Education November 2024 

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