Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is great to hear an acknowledgement of the issues in Clare and that there is a commitment to resolving them. County Clare has the second highest number of Irish speakers in the country. We have a great history of and love for Irish culture. There is huge potential there that has been missed. Gaelcholáiste an Chláir has done its very best. In some respects, it is a miracle it has survived. Most aonaid close a few years after establishment. Aonaid such as those in Kilkenny and Tralee, both of which had lower numbers than Gaelcholáiste an Chláir, increased their enrolments very quickly once they became stand-alone independent Irish-language schools. It is incredible that Gaelcholáiste an Chláir has not been given the same opportunity. As I said, we have the second highest number of Irish speakers in the country. It would be fantastic for the school to get its own roll number and have a new principal appointed.

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