PUBLIC MEETINGS: NEW IRISH-MEDIUM SCHOOLS OPENING IN STEPASIDE AND TALLAGHT IN 2013
June 5, 2012
Parents who would like to enrol their children in one of the new Irish-medium schools due to open in Stepaside and Tallaght in 2013 are invited to come along to get more information about the new schools, and anyone interested in helping to promote the new schools will be especially welcome. These public meetings are being organised by An Foras Pátrúnachta and GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. on Tuesday, June 26th 2012 at 8pm in Bewley’s Hotel, Leopardstown, Dublin 18 and on Wednesday, June 27th 2012 in the Maldron Hotel, Tallaght, Dublin 24.
Both organisations greatly welcomed the announcement made in March by Minister Ruairí Quinn that two new Irish-medium schools will open in Stepaside and Tallaght in September 2013, with An Foras Pátrúnachta as their patron.
Caoimhín Ó hEaghra, General Secretary of An Foras Pátrúnachta, the largest single patron for Irish-medium schools, said, “It’s great news that a new Gaelscoil will open in Stepaside and another in Tallaght. Irish-medium education is going from strength to strength, particularly with three new schools set to open in Dublin under the patronage of An Foras Pátrúnachta in 2012 and 2013.” The school in Stepaside will be the second in the area to open under the patronage of An Foras Pátrúnachta; Gaelscoil Thaobh na Coille opened in 1995 and has been growing rapidly ever since. Mr. Ó hEaghra went on to say that “the new Gaelscoileanna will greatly add to these areas and will satisfy the huge demand there for Irish-medium education.” GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. also welcomes the opening of the new schools. The organisation’s CEO, Bláthnaid ní Ghréacháin, had this to say about the developments in the Irish-medium education sector; “We’re delighted that recognition is being given to the huge demand for Irish-medium schools with the sanction of two new schools for these areas. Our organisation has been involved in the establishment and development of Irish-medium schools on a national level for 40 years now, and the growth of the movement is proof of a wider and better understanding amongst parents of the many benefits enjoyed by children who attend Irish-medium schools. Parents understand that an excellent standard of education is provided in Irish-medium schools and that they cater for children from all socioeconomic and linguistic backgrounds and of all levels of ability. This gives children in Stepaside and Tallaght the opportunity to benefit from this very effective system of education.”
Parents will have the opportunity to register their children with the new schools at these meetings, and the staff of An Foras Pátrúnachta and GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. will be on hand to speak to parents and answer any questions they might have. Information will be provided on the new schools, the benefits of Irish-medium education and how parents can be involved in the set-up and promotion of these new schools. We would be delighted to see you there if you’re interested in registering your child, in getting more information or in volunteering for a role in the future of the new schools.
Further information:
An Foras Pátrúnachta
Caitríona Bairéad, Development Officer :: caitriona@foras.ie :: 01-6294110 :: www.foras.ie
GAELSCOILEANNA TEO.
Clare Spáinneach, Development Officer :: cspainneach@gaelscoileanna.ie :: 01- 853 5193 :: www.gaelscoileanna.ie
Notes for Editors:
An Foras Pátrúnachta was founded in 1993 so that new gaelscoileanna opening in the coming years would have another choice with regard to patronage. An Foras Pátrunachta is a national patron for both primary and second level schools. An Foras Pátrúnachta is the patron of 61 primary schools and 3 secondary schools.
An Foras Pátrúnachta is a patron of Irish medium schools that have a choice of Catholic, Interdenominational and Multidenominational ethos. The vision of An Foras Pátrúnachta is to develop, strengthen and promote education through the medium of Irish throughout the country.
An Foras Pátrúnachta is recognized by the Department of Education and Science as a patronage system which is acceptable and appropriate for first and second level schools.
GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. is the coordinating body for Irish-medium schools. The organisation was founded in 1973 as a national volunteer organisation to support the development of Irish-medium schools at primary and post-primary level. It provides motivation, assistance and practical support to parents and local communities who wish to found new schools and it operates according to demand. There are 175 Irish-medium primary schools and 41 Irish-medium post-primary schools outside Gaeltacht areas at present.
Details of the public meetings:
26/06/2012 at 20:00
Stepaside
Bewley’s Hotel, Central Park, Leopardstown, Dublin 18
27/06/2012 at 20:00
Tallaght: Firhouse/Old Bawn
Maldron Hotel, Whitestown Way (N81), Tallaght, Dublin 24
