Meeting on all-Irish speaking secondary school in Portlaoise
A meeting takes place in Portlaoise this week to discuss the possibility of setting up an all-Irish speaking secondary school or Gaelcholáistí in Portlaoise.
Caoimhín Ó hEadhra, general secretary of the Gaelscoil movement which would be the patron of any such school, will meet parents who interested in enrolling their children in the school at a public meeting which takes place Gaelscoil Phort Laoise on January 16 at 7pm.
Gaelscoil Phort Laoise principal Dominic Ó Braonáin, says some parents are interested in setting up such a school. Gaelscoil Thrumaire, Gaelscoil Escir Riada, Gaelscoil Ath Í and Gaelscoil an tSlí Dála in Ballaghmore are also involved in the initiative.
The principals of these schools have already gauged the interest of all parents currently enrolled.
Before a school can be set up it must be ascertained if there are enough pupils for a school. It is estimated that between 30 and 60 pupils would be needed before the Department of Education would consider an application.
The nearest Gaelcholáistí are in Naas and Carlow.