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:

1. 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.
2. 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.