Ruane approves new Irish-medium Primary School in Dungannon
August 20, 2008
Sinn Féin Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has announced that an application for grant-aided status for Bunscoil Uí Chléirigh, Dungannon, has been approved.
Commenting on the decision, Caitríona Ruane said:
"The Department has a statutory duty to encourage and facilitate the development of Irish medium education and I examine each proposal on a fair and consistent basis.
"There is evidence of a demand from parents to have their children educated through the medium of Irish, with a successful naíscoil already operating in the area. I have therefore decided to award conditional approval of grant-aided status to the school and wish the school every success in the future in delivering a quality education for its pupils through the medium of Irish."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- At the request of the interim Board of Governors, the Southern Education and Library Board (SELB) published Development Proposal No. 225 on 17 April 2008, which proposes to establish a new grant-aided Irish-medium Primary School in Dungannon, from 1 September 2008 or as soon as possible thereafter. The two month consultation period ended on 18 June 2008.
- The approval of grant aid is for an initial period of three years at the end of which recognition as a grant aided school would continue if viability has been demonstrated. The approval is also conditional upon the school confirming a Year 1 intake of 12 pupils and Departmental approval of the school premises and site.
