New post-primary schools to be established in 2015-2016
May 14, 2013
The Department of Education and Skills recently announced that 8 new post-primary schools are to be established in 2015-2016. These schools will be English-medium schools, according to the letter received by GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. from the Department, and the correspondence also states that “Irish-medium provision was decided and catered for in the first group of schools announced” (the schools due to open in 2013 and 2014; including 3 Irish-medium schools). GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. is seeking immediate clarification of this statement as it directly contradicts the democratic process, the basis for the Department’s new approach to founding schools based on parental demand.
The Department of Education will ask prospective patrons of the new schools (in the areas listed below) to declare that they are willing to establish an Aonad (Irish-medium unit) if there is a demand for one, and GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. has asked that the Department clarify what processes are in place to measure this demand, what requirements there are of patrons to actively offer Irish-medium provision and what supports the Department will provide to patrons who wish to establish an Aonad. Patrons have until June 28th to submit applications for the patronage of these new post-primary schools. GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. will continue to negotiate with the Department and with patrons to insure that the right to and demand for Irish-medium education is provided for in the process to establish new schools.
The Department’s press release is available to read here: http://education.ie/en/Press-Events/Press-Releases/2013-Press-Releases/PR13-05-10B.html
| County | Area Indicative | Start Year Projected | Long-term School Size (Pupils) |
| Cavan | Kingscourt | 2016 | 400 |
| Cork | Carrigaline | 2016 | 500 |
| Cork | Midleton/Carrigtohill | 2016 | 1,000 |
| Dublin | Balbriggan | 2016 | 700 |
| Dublin | Ballinteer | 2016 | 1,000 |
| Dublin | Kingswood, Tallaght | 2016 | 1,000 |
| Kildare | Celbridge | 2015 | 1,000 |
| Wicklow | North Wicklow | 2016 | 1,000 |
