The derogation of Irish in the EU
November 26, 2013
Call for Government Committee on Irish language and Gaeltacht affairs to seek end to derogation on the official status of the Irish language in the European Union.
While Irish has been recognised as one of 24 official and working languages of the European Union since 2007, a derogation which was placed on that status until 2012 and then extended until 1 January 2017, means that not all EU Institutions are obliged to translate all documentation into Irish.
The Irish language community has been heavily critical of EU Institutions due to their misuse of the derogation since 2007. Several Institutions have used the derogation as a reason not to translate documentation even though it relates to laws alone. In August of this year, the European Ombudsman, following his investigation of a complaint made by Dr Pádraig Ó Laighin, found a case of maladministration against the European Parliament for failure to make its website available in Irish.
Conradh na Gaeilge has said that over 180 jobs would be created should the derogation be lifted and a decision must be made by the government in time for any EU recruitment campaign.
General Secretary of Conradh na Gaeilge, Julian de Spáinn, said that the derogation on Maltese was lifted after three years as a result of provisional contracts given to Maltese experts which allowed employees to gain French as a third official language, a requirement in the EU and a practice which could be applied to the Irish language.
Conradh na Gaeilge is demanding that the derogation be lifted as soon as possible and a series of recruitment competitions for long-term and provisional contract positions take place in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
©Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com 25 Samhain 2013
President of Ireland shows support for ESG
November 26, 2013
Michael D. Higgins has said that he is happy to support the work of Gaelscoileanna and ESG to encourage excellence from evidence.
‘From evidence to excellence’ was the theme of this year’s Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta Teo. (ESG) & Gaelscoileanna Teo. conference which held in Enfield, Co. Meath at the weekend.
This annual conference is open to anybody associated with Irish medium education, teachers and principals from both primary and secondary levels in particular, and a series of lectures, focus groups and workshops takes place over the weekend.
This year saw Gaelscoileanna celebrating 40 years of work and President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins attended the official opening of the conference on Friday as part of the celebrations.
ESG launched a template for Irish language policy in Gaeltacht primary schools at the weekend, a resource which will assist in the drafting of language policy.
Speaking at the conference, President Michael D. Higgins recognised the important role of Gaeltacht schools in supporting Irish as a spoken language in the Gaeltacht.
The Board of Directors of ESG made the decision in September to wind up the organisation as a result of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht decision not to provide funding to the from the beginning of next year.
ESG, based in Baile Bhuirne, Co. Cork was established in 2006 as an umbrella body for primary and secondary schools in the Gaeltacht areas. ESG and Gaelscoileanna Teoranta have been in talks towards amalgamating the two organisations for over two years, but while certain progress was made in this regard, the failure of both funders – Foras na Gaeilge and the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht – to come to a solution in relation to future funding caused an insurmountable obstacle to the progression of the merge.
The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht claim it would have been inappropriate to get involved in talks relating to the amalgamation of two voluntary organisations while this process was still underway.
ESG Deputy Chairperson Anna Ní Chartúir said that the strong support shown by President Higgins for the work of ESG, and his understanding of the importance of that work is grounds for hope.
©Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com 26 Samhain 2013
Success of Irish medium education clear in 2013 School League Tables
November 26, 2013
The Irish Times published this year’s School League Tables today and this year’s list includes 9 Gaelscoileanna with a progression rate of 100% of students who continue onto third level education.
The annual list focuses on the main feeder schools to universities from around the country and this year’s report shows a significant increase in the number of non-fee paying schools with a success rate entitling them to feeder school status making up 75% of the top 100 schools. Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara, Carna in Galway, has been named the non-fee paying school with the third highest rate in the country.
As with most years, fee-paying schools lead the way with the highest progression rate to higher points courses in the country and Irish-medium secondary schools also feature strongly in this regard with Coláiste Íosagáin, Stillorgan; Coláiste Eoin, Stillorgan and Coláiste an Phiarsaigh, Glanmire all being named on the same list.
There are 9 Gaelscoileanna among the schools with a 100% progression rate:
• Coláiste Íosagáin, Stillorgan
• Coláiste Eoin, Stillorgan
• Coláiste an Phiarsaigh, Glanmire
• Coláiste Ghobnatan, Baile Bhuirne
• Coláiste Cois Life, Lucan
• Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí
• Coláiste Laurel Hill FCJ, Limerick
• Coláiste na Coiribel, Galway
• Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne
Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara, Carna in Galway, Coláiste an Phiarsaigh, Glanmire and Coláiste Laurel Hill FCJ, Limerick have all been named on the list for the highest rate of progression to third level in the country.
Coláiste Íosagáin, Stllorgan and Coláiste Eoin, Stillorgan came in third and fourth place respectively of the schools in County Dublin and Coláiste Cois Life, Lucan, was named in ninth place on the same list.
Fee-paying schools, Gaelscoileanna and State-run schools in prosperous areas have continuously dominated the league.
©Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com 26 Samhain 2013
Concert with Nine Schools
November 26, 2013
Nine national schools in a single choir
Invitation to a free concert
Where: Loughrea Hotel & Spa, Loughrea
When: Wednesday, 27 November at 5.30pm.
Why: Students from 9 different national schools in the East Galway area will assemble to sing the Irish songs we all know accompanied by a junior orchestra. Free in.
Info: 091 870718 or see www.lochariach.com
Christmas Craft Fair
November 26, 2013
CRAFT FAIR
PREMIER CHRISTMAS FAIR
SUNDAY
01/12/2013
12.00-5.30P.M.
WONDERFUL HANDMADE CRAFTS & GIFTS
NOT TO BE MISSED
PLEASE TELL ALL.
ÁRAS CHRÓNÁIN IONAD CULTÚIR
DUBLIN 22
Rostbhandaí as Gaeilge
November 25, 2013
Léarscáil dátheangach saor in aisce
November 25, 2013
Experience the magic of Aladdin!
November 20, 2013
Would you like to simplify your admin? Discover why Aladdin is at the heart of over 500 primary schools.
Aladdin’s software doesn’t just streamline your school’s admin and make communication easier, it saves you time and helps you to enjoy school life even more. No wonder schools tell us they simply love Aladdin. And with our exciting new upgrade packages you’ll love Aladdin even more!
Enter our prize draw at the Aladdin Schools stand at the GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. Annual Conference in the Johnstown House Hotel in Enfield, Co. Meath on Friday 22nd November 2013 for your chance to win some delicious Avoca goodies. The winner will be notified by text message at the conference by 16:00 on Friday.
Thank you to the wonderful teachers, secretaries and school principals who already use the Aladdin Schools service and we wish you and everyone involved in Irish-medium education an enjoyable time at the conference.
Experience the magic of Aladdin. Talk to us today.
www.aladdin.ie
(01) 554-7375
info@aladdin.ie
Gaelscoil na Giúise have a new website
November 20, 2013
Gaelscoil na Giúise have launched a lovely website. Congratulations to them!
Gaelscoil Pheig Sayers to protest against new policy
November 19, 2013
Local Gaelcholáiste giving priority to children from English medium primary schools
Gaelscoil Pheig Sayers will gather in Blackrock in Dublin tomorrow, Wednesday 20 November 2013 at 12.15pm to protest the new enrolment policy of Gaelcholáiste Mhuire in Cork.
The group will travel from Cork to Dublin to express their dissatisfaction with the Edmund Rice Schools Trust who controls the policies within Gaelcholáiste Mhuire.
The cause of the controversy is the decision taken by Gaelcholáiste management to no longer recognise Gaelscoil Pheig Sayers as a feeder school. According to Gaelscoil Pheig Sayers, the gaelcholáiste has always provided Gaelscoil children with a place at the post-primary school however, the new school manager, who was put in place following the Edmund Rice Schools Trust’s decision to abolish the school management board, has taken the decision to introduce a two stream system within the school. Under this new system only 58 children will start first year next September, as opposed to 89 last year, and four English medium schools in the region will be given priority over pupils of Gaelscoil Pheig Sayers.
Principal of Gaelscoil Pheig Sayers, Adrian Breathnach said that this new policy goes against the Education Act 1998 as the trusts failed to include parents in the implementation of any enrolment policy. He also said that the priority given to children from English-medium schools will end a long-standing tradition between the local gaelscoil and gaelcholáiste.
The protest will be held outside the office of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust in Blackrock, Dublin, on Wednesday 20 November 2013 from 12.15pm.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
