2,400 primary school children in Donegal cannot access a Gaelscoil
The data was compialed by the Department of Education & Youth’s Primary School Survey
Nearly 2,400 primary school children in Donegal are unable to access a gaelscoil according to data from the Department of Education & Youth’s Primary School Survey.
The survey indicates that 13% of parents nationally would like their child’s school to operate through Irish. In Donegal, 14.7% of parents in English-medium schools voted for this option. This translates to an estimated 2,397 children who currently have no access to a gaelscoil. At present, just 5 of the county’s 137 primary schools outside of the Gaeltacht are gaelscoileanna.
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 the 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 Donegal.”
An Foras Pátrúnachta believes that the Department needs to put in place a blueprint of provision of Irish-medium education at primary and secondary level.
Parents who wish to have their children educated in a gaelscoil are encouraged 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.