Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 November 2018
159. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which proposals for the provision of a Gaelcholáiste in north County Kildare are progressing with particular interest to accommodate pupils (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49829/18]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, Maynooth Community College opened in 2014 with an Irish-medium Aonad and 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 Major School Building Projects announcement in November 2015 and in view of the continued support for an independent 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.
Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board and An Foras Pátrúnachta are working through the practical arrangements to facilitate the establishment of the Gaelcholáiste and my Department will continue to work with them in this regard.
