Sir, – We commend Brian Mooney on his analysis “Crises, reforms and funding challenges: six key issues facing the next minster for education” (Education, December 3rd) and wish to add to his viewpoint regarding the urgent need for Irish-language schooling.
The campaign to establish Gaelcholáiste Mhaigh Eo in Castlebar, Co Mayo, began in 2020, yet an application submitted to the Department of Education in 2023 remains unanswered.
This proposal aligns fully with policies such as the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language (2010), the Education Act (1998), and the Gaeltacht Act (2012), all of which emphasise the importance of expanding Irish-medium education to meet growing demand. The 20-year strategy explicitly commits to supporting primary Gaelscoileanna and developing all-Irish post-primary schools to ensure continuity.
However, this “follow-on demand” is being ignored in Castlebar and its surrounding areas.
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Currently, 664 pupils are enrolled in Gaelscoileanna across Co. Mayo. The absence of a post-primary Gaelcholáiste, existing outside of established Gaeltacht areas, effectively forces students to abandon their Irish-medium education, wasting State investment and undermining their potential.
Can the next minister for education justify this glaring gap in provision or allow such resources and opportunities to go to waste? – Yours, etc,
EMER MAYOCK,
FRAINC Ó CLOCHARTAIGH,
FREDA NIC GIOLLA CHATHÁIN,
THÉRÈSE RUANE,
Feachtas Ghaelcholáiste Mhaigh Eo,
Ross West,
Castlebar,
Co Mayo.
