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Clear evidence of inclusive makeup of Irish-medium and Gaeltacht schools in Department’s DEIS decisions

February 15, 2017

This week’s announcement by the Department of Education & Skills on the granting and extension of disadvantaged status to DEIS schools gives the lie to the assertion that Gaelscoileanna and Gaeltacht schools are in any way elitist in their intake of pupils, according to Gaeloideachas, the national organisation of Irish-medium and Gaeltacht schools. 74 Irish-medium and Gaeltacht schools are now recognised as DEIS schools, meaning that one in five are providing for a majority of students at risk of educational disadvantage. The schools have been granted DEIS status by the Department of Education & Skills as part of the publication of the DEIS Plan 2017.

Yvonne Ní Mhurchú, President of Gaeloideachas, has welcomed this announcement and said “It is now time that the evidence provided in the Department’s decisions are reflected in the public debate on the admission policies of all our schools. The fact that over a fifth of our schools are officially recognised as disadvantaged means that our schools, teachers, parents and children are entitled to fairness in what is becoming an often deeply unfair public commentary. Any pretence that our schools are in any way elitist in their student intake policies should now be dropped and recognition given that in fact we have a range of schools across all socio-economic groups in every city, large town and rural part of the country.
While a number of Irish-medium and Gaeltacht schools were receiving additional support since 2006, there were other schools that fell outside the criteria despite the complex needs of their communities, and as a result were not granted formal DEIS recognition. Those schools have now been recognised by the Department as DEIS Band 1 schools, and other schools previously recognised as DEIS Band 2 in 2006 have now also been granted DEIS Band 1 status. The additional supports now available to these schools will be of huge benefit to their students”.

Some Irish-medium and Gaeltacht schools, however, are very unhappy not to have been granted DEIS recognition, despite applying on basis of significant challenges and needs within their communities. Those schools are anxious to have the criteria for selection clarified, and to know why they have not been granted recognition. Pól Ó Ruiséal, Principal of Scoil Rann na Feirste, was surprised and disappointed that the school was not granted DEIS recognition this year. “The method of selection used by the Department of Education for this Scheme is unfair” he said, “they’re ignoring the needs of schools teaching through the medium of Irish”. Ó Ruiséal is concerned that parents will not be willing to enrol their children in schools that do not have DEIS status because of the additional costs they will incur as parents. If parents were to choose schools on the basis of DEIS status, irrespective of the school’s language ethos, there could be serious implications for the long-term viability of some Irish-medium and Gaeltacht schools.

22% of Irish-medium and Gaeltacht schools now have DEIS status. Bláthnaid ní Ghréacháin, the CEO of Gaeloideachas, said “Irish-medium and Gaeltacht schools are open, inclusive and supportive communities, providing for diversity. Irish-medium and Gaeltacht schools welcome children and young people from every kind of linguistic, cultural and socioeconomic background. It is so important that the advantages of Irish-medium education are made available to those threatened by educational disadvantage, and that we give them every opportunity to achieve their potential and to be safe and happy in school”.

Irish-medium and Gaeltacht schools granted DEIS recognition in 2017:
1. Gaelscoil Bharra
2. Gaelscoil Dara
3. Gaelscoil an Longfoirt
4. Scoil an tSeachtar Laoch (previously held DEIS Band 2 status)
5. Gaelscoil Bhaile Munna (previously held DEIS Band 2 status)
6. SN Éadan Fhionnlaoich
7. SN Cholmcille, Baile na Finne
8. SN an Ghlasáin
9. SN Mhuire, Fanaid
10. SN Inbhear
11. Gaelcholáiste Mhuire
12. Coláiste de hÍde, Tamhlacht