Dunshaughlin parents to take their campaign for additional gaelscoil places to the Dáil
Dunshaughlin parents who are campaigning for a second junior infants class at Gaelscoil na Rithe to meet demand for gaelscoil places, will take their campaign to the Dáil this week.
It follows a parents' meeting held in the Pastoral Centre in Dunshaughlin last Tuesday and is prompted by the lack of response from the Education Minister Hildegarde Naughton to their appeals for extra places to be provided in Gaelscoil na Ríthe.
Tuesday's meeting was attended by Minister Thomas Byrne, Deputy Thomas O'Rourke, Cllr Fionnan Blake and Gaelscoil na Ríthe principal Rónán Mac Giolla Ruaidh
Aine McKenna, one of the parents who is leading the campaign, said they had no response from Minister Naughton since sending a letter signed by 22 parents several weeks ago.
She outlined that a department representative visited the school on 16th April to look at numbers and accommodation options, but they had got no update or information since.
They plan to bring their campaign to Leinster House this Thursday, 14th May, at 11am, which coincides with a meeting of the Joint Committee on Education and Youth to discuss Irish language education & Irish medium education.
Aine is encouraging all parents seeking a gaelscoil place for their child to attend.
Gaelscoil na Rithe had an unprecedented 130 applications this year and still has 30 children on its waiting list who want a junior infants place in the school.
Aine has reiterated that a solution is available and that Gaelscoil na Ríthe is willing to put on a second class if sanctioned but that time is running out.
She wants her daughter educated through Irish but like a number of other parents has accepted a place in Dunshaughlin CNS out of fear of being left with nothing.
She outlined that four parents have not accepted a place in Dunshaughlin CNS and are holding out for the Gaelscoil and are without a place for their children as things stand.
The Department of Education responded to the shortage of school places by putting on a second class in Dunshaughlin Community National School and LMETB has confirmed that there are still places available and said that all fully completed applications should be submitted to the school office.
However, parents who want their children educated through Irish are continuing to appeal for a second class to be put on in Gaelscoil na Ríthe to meet demand.
The Department of Education has been contacted by the Meath Chronicle but has not yet responded.