Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The major issue in the Gaelscoil sector is that we are seeing an ever-increasing number of such schools at primary level but no continuation for pupils at post-primary level. That is an issue the Department must address. In my constituency in Cork, for example, we have several primary schools which teach through the medium of Irish but only one such school at second level. Students who are taught through Irish up to sixth class are then faced with a situation where there are limited places available to them at second level. In fact, some of those places are going to pupils from primary schools where pupils are taught through English. Children who have been educated through Irish up to the age of 12 or 13 are placed at a disadvantage in not being able to continue their education through that medium. There must be a continuation of education through Irish from primary to second level. It is a significant challenge for the Department.