Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 January 2019
209. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position in regard to the Gaelcholáiste for north County Kildare; the progress to date in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2968/19]
View answerMaynooth 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 the Deputy will be aware, Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB) and An Foras Pátrúnachta had been working through the practical arrangements necessary to facilitate the establishment of a new Gaelcholáiste. My Department received correspondence from both of these parties in December 2018 and has recently responded to both parties.
The Department has confirmed that the Gaelcholáiste is to be established from September 2019. KWETB will commence immediately the process of working through the necessary arrangements, including the appointment of a principal, with a view to opening the school for September 2019.
