Ballincollig school patronage decided
IT was finally announced this week that patronage of the new national school in Ballincollig has been awarded to An Foras Pátrúnacta, the largest patron of Irish-medium schools in the country.
The announcement follows a parent driven campaign to establish a multi-denominational Irish speaking primary school in the area, with the new facility set to open in September.
Welcoming the news Caoimhín Ó hEaghra, An Foras Pátrúnacta general secretary, said it reflected the growing demand for Gaelscoil education in Ireland.
“We meet families around the country every day who tell us that they want to provide their children with the benefits that a Gaelscoileanna provides. Our aim is to provide education through the Irish language to every child in Ireland who wants it, regardless of faith or geographical location,” said Mr Ó hEaghra.
“We are looking forward to working with the new school to deliver excellent Irish-medium education to the local community in the Ballincollig area.”
Cork North West TD Aindrias Moynihan (FF) has also welcomed the announcement describing it as “important step”.
“The decision by the Minister for Education to award patronage to An Foras Pátrúnacta for a co-educational all Irish school will be a relief to people in Ballincollig who were anxious about where their children would attend in September,” said Deputy Moynihan.
However, he did express concern over the length of time it took to make the announcement.
“The Minister took his time in announcing the new patronage, with the result that those setting up the school now have a limited time-frame in which to organise everything,” said Deputy Moynihan.
“There are now less than four months until the school opens and there are many things that need to take place between now and then. Not least organising formal enrolment and recruiting teachers and staff. I will continue to keep pressure on the Department to ensure everything is in place before then,” he added.