Gaelscoil Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 November 2014

Thursday, 27 November 2014

Questions (26)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

26. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the significant demand for a new Gaelcholáiste in the north Kildare area with parents of over 200 children seeking access to such an educational environment as their first choice; her views that at this point An Aonad does not come close to recognising this need; if she will revise earlier statements that it will take up to five years to determine need in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45228/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department is currently examining the extent and location of additional post-primary places that will be needed on a nationwide basis from 2017 onwards. This will include an examination of the north Kildare area. A submission recently received from An Foras Patrúnachta in relation to all-Irish provision in north Kildare will be taken into consideration as part of this examination.

In the meantime, my Department has clearly indicated that it is open to the idea of the establishment of an independent Gaelchóláiste for the north Kildare area. My Department has already committed to consider this if sufficient and viable demand for education through the medium of Irish in the Aonad in Maynooth is demonstrated over a four-year cycle.