Derry's Gaelscoil na Daróige granted statutory status

Sinn Féin Foyle MLA Pádraig Delargy has hailed progress as the Naíscoil / Nursery at Gaelscoil na Daróige is finally granted statutory status. 

He said: "What this means in reality is that the Naíscoil will now operate like any other nursery in Derry rather than having to consistently seek funding and go from year to year without adequate core funding.

"The status of the Naíscoil has been something we have been working with the school to address for several years and I want to pay tribute to the dedication of the staff and management of the Naíscoil who have excelled and grown provision from strength to strength in spite of the operational difficulties. 

"This is a positive new dawn for the Naíscoil and for Irish Medium Education in Derry. Of course, there is still much to do, but it is very clear that we are now beginning to make real change. My commitment is that my party and I will continue to lobby for this, raise it in the Assembly and advocate for the best provision for all of our children. 

"I’ve seen firsthand the fantastic work the Naíscoil does for children from the Ballymagroarty area and from all parts of Derry - today is a victory for them and another step in the right direction to bolster Irish Medium Education in our city."