Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2016
381. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if officials from her Department will agree to meet with representatives of a school (details supplied) in order to provide them with new advice and clarification on the criteria for establishing an Aonad in County Sligo with a school which has over 375 pupils enrolled. [8131/16]
View answerMy Department has considered a proposal made by Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board to provide Irish-medium education at second level through establishing an Aonad in an existing school in County Sligo. My Department has advised that the proposal needs to be re-examined by the ETB to address a number of issues that could assist in facilitating delivery of Irish-medium education more successfully and sustainably in the ETB's area of responsibility.
Officials from my Department have recently been in telephone contact with representatives of the school start-up group in County Sligo and have advised them that the appropriate course in this instance is to re-engage with the ETB concerning the re-examination of its proposal on the basis of the advice and clarification already provided by the Department. My Department officials will be happy to examine a proposal when submitted.
