Irish for Parents, a new online hub designed to support parents and guardians in helping their children learn and use Irish both at home and in everyday life, is now available online, having been launched earlier this month by Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton.
The online resource has been developed by Gaeloideachas with support from Foras na Gaeilge and funded by the Department of Education and Youth under the Action Plan for Irish in English-Medium Schools and the Policy for Irish-Medium Education outside of the Gaeltacht.
The resource was officially launched on 9 September by Minister Naughton and TV presenter and influencer Síle Seoige at an event co-hosted by St John the Apostle Knocknacarra National School and Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh in Galway, and is now live.
The new hub provides practical and accessible supports for families, including resources, activities and guidance to help parents engage with Irish alongside their children, whatever their own level of Irish and whatever type of school their child attends, whether an English-medium school, Gaelscoil or Gaeltacht school.
Speaking at the launch, the Galway based education Minister said:
"I warmly welcome the launch of the new ‘Irish for Parents’ resource hub, which will support families to engage with and use Irish in everyday life.
“I am very keen to see more Irish being spoken and used in homes, schools and communities across the country. The Programme for Government contains a clear commitment to support and encourage the use of Irish, and I believe parents and families have a vital role to play alongside our schools in achieving that ambition.
“One of my priorities as Minister is to build greater confidence in spoken Irish among young people. We want students to leave school feeling comfortable and confident speaking Irish, not simply studying it. This new hub will provide practical, accessible resources to help families support Irish at home, regardless of their own level of fluency.
“By strengthening the connection between home and school, this initiative will create more opportunities for children and families to hear, speak and enjoy Irish together. Ultimately, I want every young person to develop a positive relationship with the Irish language and the confidence to use it in their daily lives."
Bláthnaid ní Ghréacháin, CEO of Gaeloideachas, said:
"’Irish for Parents’ was created with one clear goal in mind: to support parents and guardians as they help their children learn and use Irish. We know that families come to Irish with different experiences, different levels of confidence and different needs. Some may have little or no Irish, while others are fluent speakers using Irish every day at home.
This hub brings together practical information, guidance and support in one place, helping parents feel more confident and connected, whatever their own level of Irish. We hope it will become a valuable resource for families across Ireland and a positive support in homes, schools and communities."
Irish for Parents is now available online, free of charge, at www.irishforparents.ie for all parents and guardians.