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Recognition from Dept. of Education for Four New Schools

April 25, 2008

FOUR NEW GAELSCOILEANNA RECEIVE RECOGNITION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION & SCIENCE.

GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. warmly welcomes the decision taken by the Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin, TD to grant provisional recognition to the 4 new Gaelscoileanna (Irish-medium primary schools) due to open in September 2008. This is a very positive decision by Minister Hanafin that ensures that parents will have the opportunity to avail of Irish-medium education in the following areas:-

  • Gaelscoil na gClocha Liatha, Greystones, Co. Wicklow: an Inter-denominational school under the patronage of the Foras Pátrúnachta na Scoileanna Lán-Ghaeilge.
  • Gaelscoil Ros Eo, Rush Co. Dublin: a Catholic school under the patronage of the Foras Pátrúnachta na Scoileanna Lán-Ghaeilge.
  • Gaelscoil Éadan Doire, Edenderry, Co. Offaly: a Catholic school under the patronage of the Foras Pátrúnachta na Scoileanna Lán-Ghaeilge.
  • Gaelscoil Lorgan, Castleblaney, Co. Monaghan: a Catholic school under the patronage of the local Bishop.

GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. President, Mícheál Ó Broin, welcomed the Minister’s announcement: "The founding committees have done tremendous work, on a voluntary basis, to enable these schools to reach the point of official temporary recognition from the Department of Education and Science. I congratulate the Patron bodies, and the committees themselves for their diligence and I wish them every success as they plant the seed of Irish-language communities in their areas."

This development confirms that Irish-medium education remains a very strong educational system of choice in the community and that steady growth and demand exists.  Bláthnaid ní Ghréacháin, C.E.O. of the organisation stated that "GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. will continue to make every effort to meet the demands for provision from the community while simultaneously planning strategically for provision in the future so as to ensure that Irish-medium education, as a system of high standards of education is available to all."

GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. is the national co-ordinating body for schools teaching through the medium of Irish. It helps parents and local groups to set up new schools and supports the established all-Irish schools. There are 169 primary schools and 43 secondary schools currently providing education through the medium of Irish.

Further Information:          

Bláthnaid Ní Ghréacháin: 01-4773155    

Mícheál Ó Broin:  087-9467700