Debate contribution: Irish-medium Education (Workforce Plan) Bill: Consideration Stage

Debate contribution by Ms Cara Hunter on 21 September 2026.

MLA: Ms Cara Hunter
Party at the time: Social Democratic and Labour Party
Date: 21 September 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Private Members' Business
Heading: Irish-medium Education (Workforce Plan) Bill: Consideration Stage
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5743354

Text

My goodness, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. Like my unionist colleagues, I will also be brief. I really want to thank Pat and his team for the work that they have put into the Bill. We had extensive engagement on the Committee. The level of detail in that engagement was really helpful in shaping the story of Irish-medium education and to our understanding the challenges that the sector has faced for decades. It was really helpful to get an understanding of the significant workload and challenges involved in serving children with special educational needs properly, in making the Irish-medium education workforce feel valued and seen and in helping that workforce with its future professional development. My party will be supporting the Bill at Consideration Stage. Amendment No 1 largely tidies up and clarifies clause 1, while retaining the Bill's central purpose and requirements. It provides greater clarity on the preparation, publication, review and reporting of the workforce plan. It is important that the workforce plan do not become simply another strategy that sits on a shelf. The requirement for measurable targets and reporting provides that important degree of accountability. My party welcomes and supports the addition of the Education Authority as a statutory consultee. As we all know, the EA plays an important role in supporting schools and delivering services, including professional learning, curriculum support and support for children with special educational needs. Given that role, we feel that it is sensible that the EA should be formally consulted when the workforce plan is being developed or revised. We also support the inclusion of those who provide informal learning opportunities in the Irish-medium youth sector. Irish-medium provision extends beyond formal education, and those who work with children and young people outside the classroom can provide a valuable perspective on workforce pressures and future needs. Again, that is why it is so important to have deadlines and reporting. It is vital for accountability. The amendments are sensible and proportionate. They strengthen the consultation process without changing the Bill's fundamental purpose. Thankfully, the Irish-medium sector has experienced significant growth. Workforce capacity has not always kept pace with that growth, however. Better long-term planning is therefore essential. We feel strongly that, if we want Irish-medium education to continue to grow sustainably, we need to ensure that the workforce that is required is well supported in order for that growth to continue and develop and that it feels developed and is retained. It is therefore with great pleasure that my party will support the amendments. Irish is a living, breathing language in so many of our communities right across the North. With a Bill in place to retain our workforce, I am so excited for the next generation.

453 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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