Works will let gaelcholáiste enrol three first-year classes

An all-Irish secondary school that turned down dozens of applications this year will enrol three first-year classes in 2015 after approval for a long-term expansion and building works.

The policy change at Gaelcholáiste Mhuire at the North Monastery last year, restricting new enrolments to just 59 students in two classes, caused controversy because of the number of applicants. It had enrolled three first-year classes each of the previous three years in response to demand, but concerns over space and accommodation prompted the trustees to limit numbers.

However, approval was received from the Department of Education last month for a project that would see its enrolment rise, from the 350 for which it was originally opened, to a maximum of 520.