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Founding Committees

Gaelscoileanna Teo. provides support to founding committees working to expand the provision of Irish-medium education. Contact us on 01 8535195 if you would like further information, our Development Officers will provide you with guidance and support.

Support may be provided to:

  • Committees working in areas identified by the Department of Education & Skills as an area in which a new school is to be established
  • Committees working in areas outside of those identified by the Department of Education & Skills as an area in which a new school is to be established
  • Committees working to make Irish-medium education available by changing the language ethos of a school
  • Committees working to establish an Irish-medium unit at post-primary level who have committed to implementing Gaelscoileanna Teo’s Policy on the Structure of Post-Primary Units

Applications will be accepted from committees operating within the Department of Education & Skills’ process for the establishment of new schools (detailed below) and from committees who are operating independent of the Department’s process.

Support would include such things as:

  • Venues for meetings and public events
  • Design and print of promotional materials
  • Advertising
  • Photocopying
  • Any other activity essential to the campaign and approved by the Development Officer liasing with the committee on behalf of Gaelscoileanna Teo.

Process by which new schools are to be established under the Department of Education & Skills:

  • The Department will identify the areas in which there is a need for additional provision, based on demographic growth
    • Existing schools will not be extended if there is a demand for alternative patronage models in the area
    • New schools will not be established if to do so would impact negatively on existing schools in the area
  • The Department will confirm when the school is to open and what size it is to grow to
  • Prospective patrons will be given the opportunity to apply for patronage of any new schools
    • Prospective patrons must demonstrate that there is a demand for the patronage model proposed and that it will cater for the needs of the community
    • Prospective patrons must demonstrate that they will comply with the New arrangements for patronage of new schools as published by the Department
  • The New Schools Advisory Group will make recommendations to the Minister on the patronage of the new schools, based on these applications
  • The Minister will announce the successful patrons

Process by which Irish-medium units are to be established under the Department of Education & Skills:

No formal process is in place at present. Patrons are advised to make a written application to the Department of Education to seek recognition for the Aonad and to implement Gaelscoileanna Teo’s Policy on the Structure of Post-Primary Units.