Gaelscoil Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 February 2016

Tuesday, 2 February 2016

Ceisteanna (505)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

505. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills why she decided that An Aonad in Maynooth in County Kildare was preferable when there is a clear, demonstrable demand for a Gaelcholáiste in north County Kildare; if this policy becomes even more inadequate now that children from the area are being refused access in large numbers to their only alternative in Lucan in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4639/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

Based on parental preferences indicating that there would be sufficient support for Irish-medium provision in the post-primary school to open in 2014 in Maynooth, it was decided that this school would open with an Irish-medium Aonad.

In November 2015, when I announced the new schools which would open in 2017 and 2018 to cater for increased demographic demand, I stated that a Gaelcholáiste to serve the North Kildare area will open in 2019, subject to sufficient viability of the Irish-medium Aonad, which is part of Maynooth Community College. The Gaelcholáiste will operate under the patronage of Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board and An Foras Pátrúnachta.