Six all-Irish schools have been granted provisional recognition by the Minister for Education and Science, Mr Martin.
Making the announcement yesterday, Mr Martin said he was prepared to recognise an all-Irish school in areas outside the Gaeltacht where demand for such a facility was demonstrated, where no such provision already existed within a reasonable distance and where it is expected that sufficient pupils would attend such a school.
The schools are Gaelscoil Dhun Buinne, Dunboyne, Co Meath; Gaelscoil Charraig na Siuire, Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary; Gaelscoil Phort Laoise, Co Laois; Gaelscoil an Longfoirt, Longford; Gaelscoil Bheal an Atha, Ballina, Co Mayo; and Gaelscoil an Inbhir Mhoir, Arklow, Co Wicklow.
Gaelscoileanna, the support body for Irish-medium schooling, welcomed the decision of the Minister to grant official recognition to six new schools.
In a statement, it said Mr Martin had given a major boost to the six schools and their support committees, which invested so much hard work in the projects.
"The Minister's decision will certainly encourage these dedicated parents and supporters in the work and challenges that lie before them," the statement asserted.
The association said the six new schools were yet another indication that the growth in the number of gaelscoileanna continued apace and that Irish-medium schooling would remain a major choice in Irish education for many years to come.
The Minister said the announcement reiterated the Government's commitment to the support of the Irish language and to its recognition as an official language in the EU. Any future applications would be considered in that context.
A Department of Education spokesman said there were about 220 all-Irish schools in the country, inside and outside the Gaeltacht.