The Funding Model for Schools in Ireland: A System That Leaves Irish-Speaking Schools Behind

Ireland’s education system is vital to its future, contributing to both academic success and cultural preservation. The government has allocated a record €10.5 billion to education in 2024. Despite this increase, Irish-speaking schools, or Gaelscoileanna, are still overlooked in funding allocations. This article explores the funding gaps that hinder the success of these schools.

The 2024 Education Budget: A Record Investment

The Irish government’s education budget for 2024 includes €67 million for free schoolbooks and €92 million for the School Transport Scheme​

Additionally, €50 million is earmarked for school capitation grants​These investments focus primarily on mainstream schools, but they do not address the specific challenges faced by Irish-speaking schools.

Key Challenges Faced by Irish-Speaking Schools

Gaelscoileanna face unique issues that mainstream schools do not. These schools provide immersion education in Irish, playing a key role in preserving the Irish language. However, they lack sufficient resources, qualified teachers, and modern infrastructure to deliver high-quality education.

1. Lack of Educational Resources

Gaelscoileanna often struggle to find appropriate teaching materials. While mainstream schools have access to a wide range of textbooks and digital tools in English, resources in Irish are much harder to come by. A report by the Department of Education noted this issue, highlighting the difficulty in sourcing materials that match the curriculum​

Search for services or information. Teachers are left to adapt English-language materials, which reduces the quality of education provided.

2. Teacher Shortages and Development Needs

Irish-speaking schools also face a shortage of qualified teachers. The demand for bilingual educators far exceeds supply, and many schools cannot fill vacancies. The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) reports that the pay and prestige of teaching in Gaelscoileanna is lower than that of mainstream schools, which exacerbates teacher shortages​

Schooldays Training programs for bilingual educators are insufficient to meet the growing demand, leaving many schools with unqualified staff.

3. Outdated Infrastructure

Gaelscoileanna often operate in older buildings that lack modern facilities. Unlike mainstream schools, which benefit from new constructions and refurbishments, Irish-speaking schools are left behind. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) has noted that this lack of proper infrastructure limits students’ learning potential​

Schooldays.

Why a Targeted Funding Model Is Necessary

To address these issues, Irish-speaking schools need a targeted funding model. The government should allocate specific funds for Gaelscoileanna to ensure they have access to Irish-language resources, modern teaching tools, and improved facilities. This would also include funding for bilingual teacher training and professional development.

How Targeted Funding Can Improve Gaelscoileanna

Targeted funding would provide Gaelscoileanna with the resources they need to thrive. By creating up-to-date, Irish-language textbooks and teaching aids, these schools could offer a better learning experience. Additionally, increased funding for teacher training would help attract and retain qualified bilingual teachers. The result would be a higher standard of education for Irish-speaking students.

Conclusion: Ensuring a Future for Irish-Speaking Schools

The Irish government must recognize the unique challenges faced by Gaelscoileanna and create a funding model that supports these schools. Irish-speaking schools play a crucial role in preserving the Irish language and culture, and their importance should be reflected in the funding they receive. Without targeted support, these schools will continue to fall behind their English-medium counterparts.

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