Over 65,000 primary school children are unable to access a gaelscoil, survey shows

Eva Osborne

Over 65,000 primary school children nationwide are unable to access a gaelscoil, according to data from the Department of Education and Youth’s Primary School Survey.

The survey indicates that 13 per cent of parents nationally in English-medium schools would like their child’s school to operate through Irish.

This translates to an estimated 65,398 children who currently have no access to a gaelscoil.

150 of the country’s 2,900 primary schools outside of the Gaeltacht are gaelscoileanna, serving 8 per cent of pupils.

An Foras Pátrúnachta is the largest patron of gaelscoileanna which have either a denominational or multi-denominational ethos.

General secretary, Caoimhín Ó hÉaghra, said: “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 per cent.

"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 the country.”