Written answers

Thursday, 10 December 2015

Department of Education and Skills

Gaelscoileanna Issues

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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195. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the decision to close off Gaelcholáiste access to students in north eastern Kildare outside the catchment area of the closest such school in Lucan in County Dublin; her views regarding the total immersion form of education; if the expectation for enrolments being made has now been taken away for an unacceptable period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44652/15]

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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196. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills why she is insisting that parents and students of north eastern Kildare again demonstrate sufficient viability for an immersion model of education, given that this demand is already long proven and is the basis upon which several Gaelscoileanna at primary level were established; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44653/15]

Photo of Jan O'SullivanJan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 195 and 196 together.

On the 17th November last I announced the details of the new schools to be provided nationwide in 2017 and 2018. I also announced, in view of the anticipated enrolment numbers in the Irish-medium Aonad of Maynooth Community College and the continued support for a Gaelcholáiste in the North Kildare area, that a Gaelcholáiste will be established in 2019, subject to sufficient viability of the Aonad. My Department will continue to liaise with Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board and An Foras Pátrúnachta in this regard.

Among my Department's responsibilities is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking places in an area. In relation to enrolment policies, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998. Parents can choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. It is only where a school is over-subscribed that it can deploy a selection process. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants.

The specific school in County Dublin to which the Deputy refers was established a number of years ago to cater for all-Irish post-primary demand in the area and was built to cater for 600 pupils. There is a refurbishment project in progress to provide 4 additional classrooms. In addition, 4 temporary classrooms and a science laboratory have recently been installed. The works being undertaken will increase the school's enrolment capacity to approximately 850 pupils.

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