In pictures: 36 Donegal schools presented with Scoil Ghaeltachta recognition

Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD, has congratulated the pupils, students and teachers of the 101 primary schools and 19 post-primary schools in Gaeltacht language planning areas that have achieved recognition as Gaeltacht Schools. Please click on the arrows to go through the gallery

The Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme was launched in 2017 and is a cornerstone of the Policy on Gaeltacht Education. The aim of the Scheme is to support the use of Irish in Gaeltacht communities and to promote the Irish language by strengthening Irish-medium educational provision in Gaeltacht language-planning areas.

Donegal TD Joe McHugh with students from among 36 schools across Donegal who were presented with Scoil Ghaeltachta recognition awards by the Department of Education at a ceremony in Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair

The Scheme provides an opportunity for schools in Gaeltacht language-planning areas to seek recognition as Gaeltacht Schools. Schools must meet specific language-based criteria to achieve this recognition. Additional targeted supports are provided to schools to support them in implementing the Scheme. 102 primary schools (including one special school) and 29 post-primary schools in the Gaeltacht are participating in the Scheme in the 2024/25 school year.

Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD, said: "I would like to congratulate all of the students, teachers and parents of these primary and post-primary schools on their achievement in gaining recognition as Gaeltacht Schools. I would like to pay special tribute to Scoil Tigh Nan Dooley, a special school located in An Cheathrú Rua, which has also achieved Gaeltacht School status.

"Gaeltacht Schools have reached an important milestone in achieving this recognition. A great deal of work has been done by the staff and leaders of the schools, as well as their students, to achieve recognition. I would also like to mention the support of the local language planning officers for the part they played in the process. Schools have also received significant support from the wider community to ensure that a high standard of Irish-medium education is provided across the curriculum." 

Minister of State for the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne TD, said: "When the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme was established, the Department of Education aimed to revitalise, promote and expand the use of Irish in Gaeltacht school communities. It is clear to me, in my dealings with Gaeltacht communities, that this aim is being met, and that the use of Irish is now being promoted widely in schools.

"I would like to congratulate the pupils and students, teachers and school leaders on achieving recognition for their schools. I would like to thank the school communities for their commitment and dedication in implementing the criteria for recognition."

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Thréaslaigh an tAire Oideachais, Norma Foley TD, le scoláirí agus múinteoirí na 101 bunscoil agus 19 n-iarbhunscoil i limistéir pleanála teanga Ghaeltachta a bhfuil stádas mar Scoil Ghaeltachta bainte amach acu.

Seoladh an Scéim Aitheantais Scoileanna Gaeltachta in 2017 agus is bunchloch an Pholasaí don Oideachas Gaeltachta í. Is é aidhm na Scéime ná tacú le húsáid na Gaeilge i bpobail Ghaeltachta agus an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn tríd an soláthar oideachais trí mheán na Gaeilge a neartú i limistéir pleanála teanga Ghaeltachta.

Tugann an Scéim deis do scoileanna i limistéir pleanála teanga Ghaeltachta aitheantas a lorg mar Scoileanna Gaeltachta. Ní mór do scoileanna critéir shonracha theanga-bhunaithe a chomhlíonadh chun an t-aitheantas sin a bhaint amach. Cuirtear tacaíochtaí spriocdhírithe breise ar fáil do scoileanna chun tacú leo an Scéim a chur i bhfeidhm. Tá 102 bhunscoil (lena n-áirítear scoil speisialta amháin) agus 29 n-iarbhunscoil sa Ghaeltacht ag glacadh páirte sa Scéim sa scoilbhliain 2024/25.

Dúirt an tAire Oideachais, Norma Foley TD: "Ba mhaith liom tréaslú leis na bunscoileanna agus na hiar-bhunscoileanna seo go léir as an éacht atá déanta acu chun aitheantas a bhaint amach mar Scoil Ghaeltachta. Ba mhaith liom aitheantas ar leith a thabhairt do Scoil Tigh Nan Dooley, scoil speisialta lonnaithe ar an gCeathrú Rua, a bhfuil stádas mar Scoil Ghaeltachta bainte amach aici chomh maith.

“Tá cloch mhíle thábhachtach sroichte ag na Scoileanna Gaeltachta agus an t-aitheantas seo bainte amach acu. Tá obair mhór curtha díobh ag foirne agus ceannairí na scoileanna, agus ag a gcuid daltaí agus scoláirí. Ba mhaith liom tacaíocht na n-oifigeach pleanála teanga áitiúil a lua chomh maith mar chuid den phróiseas. Is mór an tacaíocht a fuair na scoileanna ón bpobal níos leithne freisin, ar mhaithe le cinntiú go mbeadh oideachas ar ard-chaighdeán trí mheán na Gaeilge á chur ar fáil trasna an churaclaim.” 

Dúirt Aire Stáit na Gaeltachta, Thomas Byrne TD: "Nuair a bunaíodh an Scéim Aitheantais Scoileanna Gaeltachta, bhí sé mar aidhm ag an Roinn Oideachais úsáid na Gaeilge i bpobail scoileanna Gaeltachta a athbheochan, a chur chun cinn agus a leathnú. Is léir dom féin, agus mé ag plé le pobail Ghaeltachta, go bhfuil an aidhm sin á chomhlíonadh, agus go bhfuil úsáid na Gaeilge á cur chun cinn sna scoileanna go forleathan anois.

“Ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a dhéanamh leis na daltaí agus na scoláirí, na múinteoirí agus na ceannairí scoile as an aitheantas a bhaint amach dá scoileanna. Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil le pobail na scoileanna as an tiomantas agus as an dúthracht atá léirithe acu agus na critéir don aitheantas á gcur i bhfeidhm acu.”