Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2014
515. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which she has examined submissions from the support group for a gaelcholáiste in Leixlip, County Kildare; if she accepts the need for the coláiste in view of the continued high numbers of pupils attending the various Gaelscoileanna throughout north Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49432/14]
View answerMy 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 Patrúntáchta 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 Gaelchólásite 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.
