Written answers

Tuesday, 26 March 2013

Department of Education and Skills

School Enrolments

Photo of Pádraig Mac LochlainnPádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that a school (details supplied) in County Donegal is not closed due to temporary difficulties with enrolment numbers and further to grant the school an extension to address their enrolment numbers challenge in view of the fact that there are over 300 children attending three Gaelscoileanna in the schools catchment area. [14962/13]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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As the Deputy may be aware, provisional recognition was granted for the establishment of the Gaelcholáiste referred to with effect from September 2007, for a trial 3 year period.

It was noted that the enrolment figures achieved in the three-year period of provisional recognition fell very significantly short of the targets identified by the organising committee for the establishment of the school.

Following a review of the matter in 2010, a further three-year period of provisional recognition was granted to the Gaelcholáiste and identified targets were set to establish the viability of the Gaelcholáiste. The school authority was advised that the matter would be reviewed again after the extended 3 year period of provisional recognition had expired.

It is noted that the Gaelcholáiste's total enrolment in September 2012 was 34 pupils. One of the targets set on foot of the review carried out in 2010 included that a minimum enrolment of 25 first year pupils each year would be achieved from September 2011. This target is not being met.

The matter of the Gaelcholáiste's viability is again being reviewed by my Department's Inspectorate, and my Department will engage with the school authority in respect of the outcome.

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