Video – Cork parents and teachers take Irish-language schools protest to Dublin

PARENTS AND TEACHERS TRAVELLED all the way from Cork to the Dublin head office of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust on Wednesday to lobby for the reinstatement of its original admissions policy to allow students in Cork schools to continue their education in Irish.

The parents – “Parents for Equal Access to Education” – were joined by elected representatives Jonathan O’Brien TD (Cork North Central) and Cork City Sinn Féin Councillors Thomas Gould and Mick Nugent.

Jonathan O’Brien said that changes in the Edmund Rice Schools Trust’s admissions policy mean some post-primary students will not be able to continue their education in an Irish-medium setting.

Gaelcholaiste Mhuire AG in Cork has had to cut the number of students it can take in going from having three to two first-year classes.

The trust has also modified the number of feeder schools to the gaelcholáiste, the Cork TD said.

“Parents and teachers are rightfully angered by this move and gathered today to demonstrate against the decision.

“All children should be entitled to Irish-medium education and I am calling on the trust to amend their policy accordingly.

“This is a matter of educational equality.”