Additional Gaelscoil place fight rumbles on

Parents have vowed to continue their fight for extra Gaelscoil places in Dunshaughlin despite the Department of Education issuing a statement last week that it has no plans to establish a second class at Gaelscoil na Ríthe this September.

A group of parents have been campaigning over the past two months to put pressure on the Department to provide additional capacity at Gaelscoil na Ríthe, which saw an unprecedented 130 applications this year.

On two occasions, parents took their campaign to the gates of Leinster House and had been anticipating a positive outcome to engagements between the department and the school's board of management, which was willing to facilitiate the extra class pending extra accommodation being provided.

However, in a statement to the Meath Chronicle last week, the department confirmed that it has no plans to establish a second class in Gaelscoil na Ríthe this September and encouraged parents to accept places available in other local schools.

A spokesperson said: "Additional capacity has been put in place at local level, with the establishment of a second Junior Infant class in Dunshaughlin Community National School, where places remain available. While demand for places in individual schools, including Irish‑medium provision, can exceed available capacity, the department’s priority is to ensure that all children can access a school place in their local area.

"The department has had further engagements with Gaelscoil na Ríthe in the past week. The board of management have expressed a desire to cater for more junior infant pupils. However, they have confirmed that there is no suitable accommodation available, at this time, to facilitate an extra class. There are no plans to establish a second junior infant class at Gaelscoil na Ríthe, for September 2026.

Aine McKenna, one of the parents leading the campaign, outlined that since this correspondence was issued, engagements have been ongoing in the background and they remain optimistic that a second class is still a possibility.

There are currently 30 children on the waiting list for Gaelscoil na Rithe. While some have accepted places in other schools, some parents are holding out in the hopes a second class will go ahead.

Regarding the possibility of a second infants class, school principal Ronan Mac Giolla Rua said: "The Department of Education and Skills had been open to exploring the possibility of facilitating additional junior infant enrolment here at Gaelscoil na Rithe, subject to capacity being available within the existing footprint. Unfortunately, we do not have any empty classroom space available for an additional class and Department funding for a new room or temporary accommodation is not available.

"While the Department of Education and Skills has sanctioned the opening of an additional junior infant class at Dunshaughlin Community National School, I and An Bord Bainistíochta are dissapointed that a number of families who have expressed a preference for accessing Irish medium primary education for their children remain unable to do so. It is also concerning that some children in the locality still do not have access to a school place within their community."