Group calls for legislation mandating provision of education as Gaeilge 

An analysis carried out by Imeasc based on department figures found that more than 50% of the country cannot access a gaelscoil, and more than 90% cannot access a gaelcholáiste. File picture

A new parent-led campaign is calling for legislation to reduce what it describes as systemic institutional blockages preventing many students from being educated through Irish.

Irish Medium Education At School (Imeasc) has called for legislation mandating that the Department of Education make provision for Irish-medium education.

Since the early 1960s, the percentage of all secondary school students able to attend a gaelcholáiste increased by 0.7% to 3.3%, including in Gaeltacht areas.

An analysis carried out by Imeasc based on department figures found that more than 50% of the country cannot access a gaelscoil, and more than 90% cannot access a gaelcholáiste.

Almost two-thirds of students in gaelscoileanna cannot complete their education in a gaelcholáiste.

The preliminary findings of the landmark national primary school survey also found strong demand for Irish-medium education. It found that 13% of parents whose children attend English medium schools would prefer that they are educated through Irish.

To date, no Government has ever mandated the Department of Education to make provision for Irish-medium education, Imeasc said. 

"Legislation is clearly required as parents campaigning for such schools are being told by departmental officials that, as there are places in English-medium schools, there is 'no demographic demand justifying another school'."

This is despite large numbers of gaelscoil pupils without a gaelcholáiste place available locally, it added. 

If Irish is to have any chance to survive, this institutional thinking must change.

"As a country, if we want this to change, it is the responsibility of our elected representatives to act decisively. The department has never been asked to make provision for Irish-medium education – it’s not their fault that they don’t." 

The group also pointed to the success of Wales when it comes to establishing Welsh-medium education. Wales opened its second Welsh-medium secondary school in 1962. Through legislation, by 2024, this increased to places available in Welsh-medium language schools for more than 18% of its secondary school students. The Welsh government has also set a target to increase this to 50% over the next 15 to 25 years.

In Ireland, statistics show that, excluding schools in the Gaeltacht, 2.5% of students can complete their education through Irish, with no target to increase. 

Imeasc said: "Ireland has the potential to emulate Wales and protect its national language into the future. The Government just needs to take the necessary steps to make that happen." 

• Jess Casey is Education Correspondent.