Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 October 2014
123. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the fact that progression from Gaelscoil to Gaelcholáiste is close to 100% where commute distance is not a significant factor and falls markedly with a slight increase in distance to travel each day; if this is taken into account when determining new Gaelcholáistí; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39492/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra124. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the broader Gaelscoil-Gaelcholáiste strategy of her Department over the next five years with regard to responding to a growing demand; if a refocusing of resources is required to accommodate the growing trend toward Irish-only instruction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39500/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 124 together.
The Department's capital budget is focused on meeting demographic demands to ensure that every child will have access to a physical school place.
The establishment of any new school is, therefore, considered in the context of the overall need for additional school places to meet future demographic demands. Where new schools are needed these are advanced in line with an objective process and criteria for determining patronage and language medium of instruction.
As part of the arrangements for establishing new post-primary schools, an initial decision is made by my Department on whether the schools will operate through the medium of Irish or English. In addition, prospective patrons must agree to establish an Aonad within an English-medium school subject to parental demand.
It is not possible to meet all parental demands in a particular school feeder area nor is it possible to match post-primary schools with every type of primary school in an area. It is not unusual for post-primary pupils to travel to their post-primary provider regardless of the medium of instruction.
