Development Proposal For Irish-Medium School Turned Down By Ruane

The Minister said: "My Department has a duty to encourage and facilitate the provision of Irish-medium education, but I must be satisfied that proposals for a new school will lead to viable schools providing good quality education for their pupils.

"I have considered this proposal very carefully and I have met with, and listened to, those involved. I am not convinced that this proposal would achieve sustainable intakes and that the proposed funding arrangements with Coláiste Feirste would represent a good way forward to deliver post-primary provision for the area in the medium of Irish.

"I recognize that there is a demand for post-primary provision in the area and there needs to be a full exploration of options which could deliver sustainable provision."

Coláiste Speirín had 6 pupils enrolled during 2007/08. The 2008/09 intake was 3 new pupils. To qualify for funding the school would have needed an intake of 50 new pupils.

The Minister went on to indicate that there is a need for a strategic and sustainable approach to Irish-medium post-primary education.

The Minister said: "With the increasing growth in the numbers of children attending Irish-medium primary schools, there is a need to plan for sustainable post-primary provision for the future.

"I will shortly be publishing the report on the review of Irish-medium education policy.

"The report will include proposals for sustainable post-primary provision. It will be important that the Department, Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta (CnaG), Iontaobhas na Gaelscolaíochta (InaG) and other stakeholders examine jointly how a strategic approach should best be progressed."