Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

503. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware that an entire class of students in north County Kildare have been denied access to a school (details supplied) in County Dublin, which is their only Irish-language second level option; if she will re-evaluate the clear need for a Gaelcholáiste in north County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4626/16]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Deputy will be aware that in November 2015 when I announced the establishment of 13 new schools to open in 2017 and 2018, I stated that a Gaelcholáiste to serve the North Kildare area will be established in 2019, subject to sufficient viability of the Irish-medium Aonad in Maynooth Community College, which opened in 2014. I understand that there is currently capacity in the Aonad for the coming school year.

I wish to advise the Deputy that the matter of enrolment in individual schools is the responsibility of the managerial authority of those schools. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking places in an area. This may result, however, in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.

I also wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has provided grant aid to the school in County Dublin to create additional capacity and I understand that a project is currently in progress to deliver this capacity.