Students deserve more Gaelcholáiste options – Ó Muirí

Families deserve to be supported in their choice to send their children to Irish-medium schools, a Fine Gael TD has said.  

Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí said that there is currently only one Gaelcholáiste in his constituency, Dublin Bay North, to serve almost 500 students.

Deputy Ó Muirí said: “It’s so important that we see continued investment in the Irish language, and this starts with investing in Irish education. We’ve seen investment in Gaelscoileanna, but too often children who have completed their primary education in a Gaelscoil do not have the option to continue their education into a Gaeilcholáiste. We need to play catch up here.

“Gaeilcholáiste Reachrann in Donaghmede has admirably served families across Dublin Bay North since 2001, but staff and students need support to continue excelling both academically and in extracurricular activities.

“The Programme for Government has made a clear commitment to establish Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholaistí where there is demand. It is obvious to me that there is huge demand in Dublin Bay North and these families must be supported in their wish for their children to be educated through the Irish language.

“This week is Seachtain na Gaeilge, and it’s more important than ever that we are encouraging people to learn our native language.

“It is vital that students who wish to learn through Irish are not penalised for simply living on the wrong side of the city or county, and I will continue to engage with my colleague Minister Helen McEntee to do everything we can to facilitate staff and students in Reachrann and other families around the country who seek to attend Irish-medium schools”, concluded Deputy Ó Muirí.