Northside to get new Irish schools

MINISTER for Education and Skills Joe McHugh has announced that five new primary schools being established from 2020-2022 are designated for Irish-medium education.

Two of the schools will be located on the Northside – Donabate & Portrane, and Donaghmede-Howth.   

Dublin Fingal TD Darragh O’Brien (FF) has welcomed confirmation that Donabate is to get one of the new Gaelscoils which comes after years of campaigning by parents and local groups.

“This is a great day for everyone who has been involved in the campaign for a Gaelscoil for Donabate and Portrane,” Deputy O’Brien told Northside People.

“We have seen the population in Donabate and surrounding areas expand significantly over recent years and there is a real need for a new school on the peninsula.

“I’m particularly pleased that the new school will be a Gaelscoil as there is no Irish-medium primary school in the area, and parents had expressed a preference for their kids to be taught through Irish.

“I want to pay tribute to all of the parents and the local community groups who have been so actively involved in the campaign for a Gaelscoil for Donabate and Portrane.”

Deputy O’Brien said the announcement is testament to the campaigners’ enthusiasm, determination and drive.

“I will be engaging with the Minister and the Department of Education to ensure that this new school is delivered on time,” he added.

Speaking at last week’s announcement, Minster McHugh said it is a significant step in terms of increasing Irish-medium education and all the benefits it brings. “It will be a huge boost for a large number of parents in these areas who will now have more certainty about the availability of Irish-medium education for their children,” said the Minister.

The five new schools will serve areas of growing populations where there is no existing Irish-medium primary school or where there is more than one new school to be established between 2019 and 2022.