'Unmet demand': 600 Primary School Children in Longford Cannot Access a Gaelscoil
The Department of Education data indicates that 13% of parents nationally would like their child’s school to operate through Irish
Nearly 600 primary school children in Longford are unable to access a gaelscoil according to a Department of Education and Youth’s Primary School survey.
The data indicates that 13% of parents nationally would like their child’s school to operate through Irish.
In Longford, 11.6% of parents voted for this option which translates to an estimated 590 children who currently have no access to a gaelscoil.
At present, just one of the county’s 37 mainstream primary schools is a Gaelscoil, serving only 2.1% of pupils.
An Foras Pátrúnachta is the largest patron of gaelscoileanna which have a catholic or multi-denominational ethos.
Speaking on the publication of the school survey results General Secretary, Caoimhín Ó hÉaghra, stated: An Foras Pátrúnachta is the largest patron of gaelscoileanna which have either a denominational or multi-denominational ethos.
Speaking on the publication of the school survey results General Secretary, Caoimhín Ó hÉaghra, stated: “Although the results show considerable unmet demand, we believe that actual demand is significantly higher.
National research published this year by government body Foras na Gaeilge (The Irish Language Attitudes Survey 2025) put demand at 45%.
The disparity is a result of the much disputed and restrictive phrasing in the Department’s survey question. Regardless of the disparity, it is clear that we need more gaelscoileanna in order to cater for the children who do not have that option across Longford.”
An Foras Pátrúnachta is asking all parents who wish to have their children educated in a gaelscoil to petition the government to make access to a gaelscoil a reality for them.
IMEASC, (Irish Medium Education At School), a parents group, believes that the lack of legislation is the root cause that has resulted in the lack of provision of Irish-medium education (IME) by the Department of Education.
Parents can find out more at: https://www.imeasc.ie/