Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2026
279. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of pupils currently enrolled in Irish-medium primary education in County Offaly; the number expected to transition to post-primary education in each of the next five years; whether her Department considers this cohort sufficient to support Irish-medium second-level provision within the county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52645/26]
View answerThe Department recently published its final enrolments for the school year 202/26. Based on the close of the school year, there were 299 pupils enrolled in Irish medium primary schools in County Offaly (the criteria used here is where the school reports it teaches "all subjects through Irish")
www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/collections/primary-schools-enrolment-figures/
Please find at the table below the expected number of those expected to complete their primary education in Irish medium schools in Offaly for the period 2026-2030.
The Programme for Government 2025, Securing Ireland’s Future, includes a commitment to establish Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí where there is demand and support parents choosing Irish-medium education for their children.
The Policy for Irish-Medium Education outside of the Gaeltacht was launched in November 2025. The policy sets out my department's vision that high-quality Irish-medium education will be available to all, in inclusive and multicultural educational settings. I am committed to my department working with stakeholders to achieve that vision, and to make progress towards delivering on the commitments of the Programme for Government.
The Taskforce on Models of Provision for Irish-Medium Education, which was established under the Policy for Irish-Medium Education outside of the Gaeltacht, is providing a platform for collaboration between my department and key stakeholders to identify a pathway to increase the provision of Irish-medium education. I look forward to the outcome of this taskforce to help strengthen and expand the provision of Irish-medium education
If additional accommodation is required, the aim to try and facilitate this, as much as possible, by way of expansion of existing schools rather than establishing new schools. The expansion of existing schools is consistent with wider Government objectives under Project Ireland 2040 for an increased emphasis on compact growth.
New schools are only established in areas of demographic growth as the resources available for school infrastructure must be prioritised to meet the needs of areas of significant population increase so as to ensure that every child has a school place.
In respect of post primary schools, new post primary schools must have a student enrolment capacity of 600-1,000 students and must be co-educational. A lower threshold of 400 students may apply to gaelcholáistí, having regard to the alternative of establishing an Irish-medium unit (aonad) in an English-medium school.
Parental preferences from the primary school survey have now been published and this provides a comprehensive evidence base to underpin decision-making on the level of demand for Irish medium provision. The survey will also provide a useful guide to inform both future primary and post-primary provision.
Projected 1st years from Irish Medium Schools in Offaly
|
2026 |
2027 |
2028 |
2029 |
2030 |
|
31 |
37 |
37 |
34 |
32 |
Note: Data provided is based on 2025/2026 enrolments in Irish Medium schools in County Offaly and the projected number in 6th class going to post-primary in the following year.
