Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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321. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps she is taking to establish a Gaelcholáiste serving the Dublin 2, 4, 6 and 8 areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24794/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As part of the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030, my Department has committed to creating opportunities for expanding Irish-medium education outside the Gaeltacht in the context of the announcements on the establishment of 47 new schools from 2019, which affords particular consideration to the establishment of Gaelscoileanna, Gaelcholáistí, and Aonaid Lán-Ghaeilge as part of the patronage process for new schools.

In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.

Where data indicates that additional provision is required at primary or post-primary level, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:

• Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
• Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
• Provision of a new school or schools.

The year of establishment, patronage model and language of instruction have yet to be determined for the new post-primary schools announced to serve the following school planning areas in the general South Dublin area: Dublin 2_Dublin 4 and Sallynoggin_Killiney_DLR/Cherrywood.

While it is expected that the existing Gaelcholáistí in the general South Dublin area have sufficient school places to accommodate demand in the short term, given the number of new gaelscoileanna which have opened in recent years or are planned to open in this area, my Department is keeping the position under active review as these schools grow and the number of sixth class pupils in gaelscoileanna increases. The opportunities for expansion of provision at existing gaelcholáistí such as Coláiste Eoin and Coláiste Íosagáin is also relevant and the Department is engaging with the school patron of Coláiste Eoin and Coláiste Iosagáin in this regard.

My Department is currently developing a new policy for Irish-medium education outside of Gaeltacht areas. The policy will be informed by a consultation process. Phase 1 of the consultation process, which involved an online questionnaire and a call for written submissions, ran from 27 October 2022 to 30 January 2023. The second phase, which includes focus groups, is currently underway. A review of national and international literature on minority language education provision has also been commissioned, along with research on Aonaid/Sruthanna in Irish-medium education. This research will also inform the policy development process.

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