Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 May 2018
49. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cé mhéad scoil, naisiúnta agus meánscoil, atá sa Ghaeltacht uile agus cé mhéad iarratas atá curtha isteach ag na scoileanna seo ag iarraidh aitheantas mar scoil Ghaeltachta; cé mhéad scoil a dhiúltaigh iarratas a chur isteach faoin bpróiseas; cad é stádas an phróisis seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [20133/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTá mé ag iarraidh soiléiriú a fháil maidir leis an bpróiseas atá i gceist le haghaidh aitheantais mar scoil Ghaeltachta a bhaint amach. Go háirithe, cé mhéad iarratas atá curtha isteach agus cé mhéad scoil a dhiúltaigh ar chur isteach ar an bpróiseas seo?
Níl an Ghaeilge go líofa agam. I will have to freagair as Béarla. There are 133 primary schools and 28 post-primary schools located in Gaeltacht language-planning areas. One hundred and six applications have been submitted from primary schools and 27 applications from post-primary schools seeking recognition as Gaeltacht schools.
Twenty-seven primary schools and one post-primary school in the Gaeltacht have not yet applied to the Department to participate in the Gaeltacht school recognition scheme. In two circulars, an opportunity has been provided to the schools that have not yet expressed an interest in the scheme to submit an expression of interest form to the Gaeltacht education unit in the Department before 1 June 2018, which is fast approaching.
I thank the Minister for the clarification. Twenty-seven schools have not yet applied. Have any schools refused to apply under this process?
As the Minister can appreciate, this was announced as the biggest, most important policy document by the Government. I fully agree with that but it is utterly dependent on the schools coming forward and seeking recognition. Twenty-seven schools have not come forward. Have any refused to participate? What are the time limits for the process to get this recognition mar scoil Ghaeltachta?
I do not know that any had outright refused but obviously some have yet to apply. I do not want to say whether that means they are not considering applying. I hope they are. To be fair, they have to commit. It is not a case of sending in the application. It is a commitment to a process that represents an immersion approach and my Department will be demanding that those who do participate step up to the standard expected, but there are good incentives available. There is a cash grant, additional hours and continuing professional development, CPD. They are looking at the post-primary level. There is an elearning hub model. This is a significant investment by my Department to try to achieve much higher standards in Gaeltacht areas because there was a genuine concern that language standards were slipping. We believe this model is the right track but it is open to schools to decide they do not want to participate.
An bhfuil ceist ghairid ag an Teachta?
Maidir leis an scála ama, will the Minister clarify the time limits for this recognition process?
The time limit I have for the expression of interest form is before 1 June. Thereafter, there is a process where the school has to be approved by the Department, in that its approach and planning is satisfactory. That triggers the additional supports. I do not see a particular time limit-----
B'fhéidir go dtiocfaidh an tAire ar ais chugam.
Schools in Gaeltacht language planning areas will receive further opportunities to express an interest in the Gaeltacht school recognition scheme in spring 2019 for the school year 2019-20. This, along with any additional supports, will be communicated. Even if the 1 June deadline is missed, it is a matter for the school board of management to consult with the school community in advance of making the decision to participate in the scheme in order to strengthen Irish-medium education provision. The schools still have the right not to participate if they so choose.
