Vol. 481 No. 6
80 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to provide additional all-Irish secondary schools in Dublin to meet the needs of the Gaelscoileanna which have mushroomed in Dublin. [16595/97]
There are seven postprimary schools in the Dublin area providing education through the medium of Irish. These schools can cater for the demand for all-Irish postprimary education at present.
The number of gaelscoileanna operating in Dublin has increased in recent years and will probably continue to do so. This growth in turn is leading to an increase in the number of pupils seeking postprimary education through the medium of Irish. As a result of this increased demand, two new all-Irish schools were opened in 1993 and 1997, in Tallaght and Lucan, respectively.
The requirements of this sector are regularly monitored in the planning section of my Department to ensure that there will continue to be sufficient pupil places available to meet future needs.
