Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2016
448. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will conduct a review of the decision to decline an aonad for the proposed Coláiste Loch Gile for County Sligo given that the organisers believe they have met all the criteria and that the option of a sruth, which was offered instead, cannot be met due to the lack of Irish speakers in the host school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4813/16]
View answerMayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board (ETB) has been considering the development of an Aonad at Ballinode College, Sligo. It was noted that there were likely to be capacity issues for a school with a second level enrolment of some 160 pupils in providing adequately for an Aonad, particularly given that the Commission on School Accommodation had recommended that a school should have a minimum enrolment of 375 to sustain an Aonad. In the circumstances, my Department has advised that the ETB should re-examine this proposal for Irish medium provision at second level to see how best it might be delivered both successfully and sustainably.
