THE MINISTER FOR Education and Skills Mr Ruairi Quinn T.D. has told the Dail that the management of Sligo’s Gaelscoil has been advised that his Department is not in a position to accede to the school’s request in respect of an additional class of junior infants in September 2014.
The Minister was responding to Parliamentary Questions submitted by the two United Left T.D.’s Clare Daly and Joan Collins, who asked the Minister if it has been drawn to his attention that the Gaelscoil is now limited to accepting only one infant class of 30 pupils for the coming year and as a result 29 children of parents who seek Irish-medium education as the preferred option for their children cannot be enrolled in an infant class and if it had been drawn to his attention that there are no other all-Irish schools in the Sligo area as an option for these 29 children. They asked the Minister if his Department would reconsider its decision to refuse sanction for a second infant class in the gaelscoil.
In response Minister Quinn said “In terms of school accommodation, there is sufficient capacity available within existing schools in Sligo to cater for the demand for school places. In that regard, an additional 8 classrooms catering for up to 224 pupils in the case of the school, in question, has the potential to have a significant impact on other schools in the same catchment area.
“To assess further the pupil enrolment trends in the Sligo area including information on school pre-enrolments for the 2014/2015 academic year, my Department will be contacting the Patron and school authorities of the 13 primary schools in the Sligo area. When this data has been obtained and reviewed, my Department will communicate further with the Patron and school authority in question.”
Speaking today Cllr Declan Bree, who had requested the United Left T.D.s to raise the matter in the Dail, said he was extremely disappointed with the Ministers response.
“Unless the Minister changes his decision the gaelscoil will be forced to turn away 29 children of parents who seek Irish-medium education as the preferred option for their children. My own daughter was in the first class of 22 pupils who enrolled in the gaelscoil when it was founded and I know the significant benefits of an Irish medium education.
“The fact is that the Ministers decision runs contrary to a parents’ constitutional right to seek an Irish-medium education for their children. Other schools in Sligo cannot meet the demand for Irish-medium schooling – there are no other all-Irish schools available for these 29 children.
“Local politicians now have an obligation to intervene and persuade the Minister to change his attitude.” said Cllr Bree.