Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 November 2011
179 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the patronage tender guidelines for a new secondary school (details supplied) stipulate that the school must be an English language only school; the rationale he has used to set these specific guidelines; if he will consider tender applications from Irish language patrons for this school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34130/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware I announced new criteria on 27 June 2011 in relation to the establishment of new second level schools. As part of the new procedures it was clearly stated that an initial decision would be made by the Department on whether the new schools would operate through the medium of Irish or English. Applications would then be sought from prospective patrons when this decision was made.
Prior to seeking applications for the new second-level schools to be established in 2013 and 2014, the Department made the initial decision about which schools would operate through the medium of Irish. The Department had regard to both the existing and planned all-Irish provision at primary and second level in the areas concerned. The new second level school planned for the area referred to by the Deputy will operate through the medium of English. However, in cases there is not sufficient demand to warrant the establishment of a new gaelcholáiste it will be an option for the new English-medium second level schools to operate an all-Irish Aonad within the school where there is sufficient parental demand.
