Cork city parents want more gaelscoil access

More than 6,500 primary school children in Cork city have no access to a gaelscoil, despite their parents wanting them to attend one. This accounts for 12.2% of children in the city.

The figures were released as part of a survey conducted by the Department of Education & Youth.

Nationally, 13% of parents indicated that they would like their child’s school to operate through Irish, which amounts to approximately 65,000 children.

Cork city had the highest number of parents who wanted gaelscoil access for their children outside of Dublin City, almost double the amount of the next highest county, Donegal.

Cork also had the highest level in Munster, with the next largest cohort of parents seeking Irish-medium primary education being in Limerick.

Just 22 of the 329 primary schools which are outside of the Gaeltacht are gaelscoileanna, meaning that just 8% of students in Ireland attend a gaelscoil.

There are eleven gaelscoileanna in Cork city.

The results of the survey carried out by the Department indicate that the demand could be as much as 21%.

However, Caoimhín Ó hÉaghra, General Secretary of An Fóras Pátrúnachta - the largest patron of gaelscoileanna in Ireland - said the organisation believes the demand is much higher.

He explained: “National research published this year by government boy 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 Cork,” he said.

He said the Department needs to put in place a blueprint for the provision of Irish-medium education at primary and secondary level.