Gaelcholáistí Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 January 2017

Tuesday, 31 January 2017

Questions (166, 183, 251)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

166. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to establish an all-Irish secondary school in north Kildare in view of the fact that the west Dublin option is over-subscribed, that there are seven sixth classes each year in north Kildare and that Dunboyne in County Meath and Edenderry in County Offaly are feeder schools; the reason it is necessary to again establish a demand for this school option in view of the fact that there has been an established pattern of students progressing to all-Irish language secondary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3812/17]

Catherine Murphy

Question:

183. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 20 of 9 April 2014, if he will consider the establishment of an independent Gaelchóláiste, in view of the fact that demand is consistently increasing year on year in north Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4004/17]

Joan Burton

Question:

251. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 100 of 18 January 2017, if the enrolment to an institution (details supplied) for September 2017 will be the determining factor in demonstrating viability for the establishment of a Gaelcholáiste in north Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4482/17]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 166, 183 and 251 together.

Maynooth Community College opened in 2014 with an Irish-medium Aonad.  It was stated that should the Aonad demonstrate sufficient viability after four years from its date of establishment, a Gaelcholáiste would be established. 

As part of the November 2015 announcement on the new primary and post-primary schools which will open in 2017 and 2018, and in view of the continued support for a Gaelcholáiste, it was confirmed that a Gaelcholáiste to serve the North Kildare area will open in 2019, subject to the continued viability of the Irish-medium Aonad at Maynooth Community College.

In this regard, my Department will continue to work closely with the Education and Training Board and An Foras Pátrúnachta in relation to the establishment of the Gaelcholáiste.