Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:350. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Education if she will consider establishing an independent Gaelcholáiste in Ennis, County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44989/24]
View answerTuesday, 5 November 2024
Questions (350)
Written answers
Since 2011, arrangements have been in place for the establishment of new schools involving the forecasting of demand for school places based on demographic exercises carried out by my Department.
New schools are only established in areas of demographic growth, as the resources available for school infrastructure have to be prioritised to ensure that every child has a school place.
Most new post-primary schools must have a student enrolment capacity of 600 to 1,000 students. A lower threshold of 400 students may apply to Gaelcholáistí, having regard to the alternative of establishing an Irish-medium unit, or Aonad, in an English-medium school.
With respect to establishing an independent Gaelcholáiste in Ennis, Co. Clare, there is sufficient existing and oncoming post primary school capacity to meet the forecast school place needs in the area, including the recently completed expansion of Ennis Community College, and the planned expansion of Rice College to cater for a total of 1,000 students. There is also currently Irish-medium post primary provision in Ennis at Gaelcholáiste an Chláir (which is an Irish-medium Aonad within Ennis Community College).
This will continue to be kept under review, however there is no expected requirement for the establishment of a new school to meet demographic requirements in the town and its immediate vicinity.