18 November 2018
By Mary Bermingham
mary@TheCork.ie
The largest patron of Irish-medium schools in the country, An Foras Pátrúnachta (AFP) has announced that it has applied for the patronage of a new primary school to cater for Glasheen/Cork South City, opening in 2019. The new school was confirmed by the Department of Education and Skills earlier this year to cater for the growth in population.
The process for awarding patronage of the school has been confirmed by the Department of Education and Skills and parental demand is central.
The application has been made as part of AFP’s Gaelscoil4All campaign which aims to ensure all children in Ireland have the option to attend a gaelscoil.
General Secretary of An Foras Pátrúnachta, Caoimhín Ó hEaghra said: “We need more Gaelscoileanna to cater for demand from parents. We opened a new Gaelscoil in Ballincollig last year and we see the same demand in this area. Only 2 of the 17 schools in the area are gaelscoileanna and unless we secure further supply parents will not be able to access Irish medium education. Kantar Millward Brown research published this month shows that 78% of people believe Irish medium education should be available to every child. We are now calling on parents in the area to support the campaign and register their interest on www.Gaelscoil4All.ie. Parents know the benefits of bilingual – and multilingual education – and they can now help us achieve this great choice for their children through our campaign.”
An Foras Pátrúnachta is currently the patron for over 70 schools in 22 counties across Ireland. The application which has been made is for a co-ed, multi-denominational, gaelscoil. AFP is also offering parents the choice of multi-lingual education, where children will learn a subject through a major european language.
Mr Ó hEaghra added: “Providing diversity and choice to parents in Glasheen/Cork South City is essential. In our schools, everyone’s welcome and everyone’s equal. We welcome all pupils regardless of their background, religion or language of the home.”
Information for parents interested in a new gaelscoil for the area can be found at www.Gaelscoil4All.ie. A public meeting will be held in the Kingsley Hotel at 7.30pm, Tuesday December 4th and all are welcome.
