Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent)
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80. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on the progress of granting independence to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30480/24]

Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent)
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I did not think this was going to be reached. I am very happy that it was. It is to ask the Minister for Education to provide an update on the progress of granting independence to Gaelcholáiste an Chláir.

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Deputy Wynne for her question. The answer will be similar to that given in respect of a previous question.

As I indicated earlier, since 2011, arrangements have been in place for the establishment of new schools involving the forecasting of demand for school places based on demographic exercises carried out by the Department. New schools are only established in areas of demographic growth, as the resources available for school infrastructure have to be prioritised to ensure that every child has a school place. These arrangements give an opportunity to patrons to apply for the patronage of new schools. The criteria used in deciding on the patronage of new schools place a particular emphasis on parental patronage and language preferences, either Irish or English, and an analysis of existing provision, including Irish-medium provision, in the areas where the schools are being established. Most new post-primary schools must have a student enrolment capacity of 600 to 1,000 students. A lower threshold of 400 students is applied for the Gaelcholáistí, having regard to the alternative of establishing an Irish-medium unit, or aonad, in an English-medium school. It is possible for any post-primary school patron to contact my Department to explore the establishment of an aonad in an existing school.

Work on the development of a new policy for Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht is in progress in my Department. This policy will sit within the overall framework of the 20-year strategy for the Irish language and will build on the achievements of the policy on Gaeltacht education. Among the objectives for the new policy are exploring how opportunities for the establishment of Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí can be increased as part of the patronage process. The Department has recently published a series of reports, prepared by the SEALBHÚ research institute in DCU, which will inform the development of the new policy. These reports include a review of international literature on education through the medium of minority languages, reports on the various stages of the public consultation undertaken by my Department to inform policy development, and a series of resulting policy proposals.

In developing the new policy, the Department will draw on those reports, as well as the information shared by stakeholders at bilateral meetings. This information will be considered in light of the existing provision for Irish-medium education and future projections of demand for the education system, having regard to the Department's budgetary and legislative context.

With respect to Ennis, there is sufficient existing and oncoming post-primary school capacity to meet the forecast school place needs in the area.

Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent)
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I thank the Minister. I did not expect this question to be reached. It concerns a matter very close to my heart. There is an opportunity now to address it, with the principal of Ennis Community College moving on from that post. Gaelcholáiste an Chláir has been seeking stand-alone status for 30 years. The Minister said the Department has an openness to addressing the matter. That is great to hear. What is the status of the application that was submitted in March 2021? In response to a previous parliamentary question, the Minister said it was under consideration at that time. Is the application still being considered? In respect of applications and enrolments this year, the point has been made that because Gaelcholáiste an Chláir is only an aonad, and there are many issues that come with that, some parents are choosing to send their children to all-Irish schools outside the county.

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I appreciate that sterling work is being done at Gaelcholáiste an Chláir in regard to the promotion of the Irish language. I am aware of the work being done by the staff, the atmosphere that is being cultivated in the aonad and the first-class provision for students. However, the Department must look at the numbers when it receives an application. I acknowledge that an application was received from Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board. We have committed to looking at it. We have highlighted that there are queries we wish to raise specifically in regard to the availability of 52 places. It is a significant availability. Only 22 pupils applied and only 16 accepted a place. I am not saying that is the singular reason we are currently looking into the matter. We have an absolute openness to examining the application and the response from the ETB to see how we can resolve the situation. We are approaching it in a solution-focused way. I acknowledge the importance of the Irish language and of the support we give it and are seen to give it.

Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent)
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It is great to hear an acknowledgement of the issues in Clare and that there is a commitment to resolving them. County Clare has the second highest number of Irish speakers in the country. We have a great history of and love for Irish culture. There is huge potential there that has been missed. Gaelcholáiste an Chláir has done its very best. In some respects, it is a miracle it has survived. Most aonaid close a few years after establishment. Aonaid such as those in Kilkenny and Tralee, both of which had lower numbers than Gaelcholáiste an Chláir, increased their enrolments very quickly once they became stand-alone independent Irish-language schools. It is incredible that Gaelcholáiste an Chláir has not been given the same opportunity. As I said, we have the second highest number of Irish speakers in the country. It would be fantastic for the school to get its own roll number and have a new principal appointed.

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I appreciate the case the Deputy has made. I appreciate the case that has been made by Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board and by Gaelcholáiste an Chláir itself. I can only reiterate that there are issues that need to be addressed. In particular, we have identified issues regarding uptake of places. We have an openness to working through those issues. We are positively and favourably disposed towards the establishment, ultimately, of a stand-alone Gaelcholáiste. However, we must address the issues that have been identified.

We have received the proposal from Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board. We will be in communication with the board regarding the clarifications that are needed. We have requested a more detailed proposal. I have absolutely no doubt the board will be forthcoming in its responses. We will work collectively to be positive and proactive in resolving the issues.