Investment in Irish-medium pre-schools in Northern Ireland announced

Foras na Gaeilge has announced a total investment of £93,000 to develop two Irish-medium pre-schools in Northern Ireland.

Naíscoil na Caille, in Armagh City, will receive a grant to the value of £73,000 to support its launch in September 2017 and a further £20,000 will be invested in Naíscoil na Fíobha in Toome, County Antrim, which also open this September.

These pre-schools will undoubtedly add to the ever expanding Irish-medium education sector in Northern Ireland, in which more than 5,000 children are being educated daily through the medium of Irish, and will provide employment opportunities within the Irish language sector.

Seán Ó Coinn, Chief Executive of Foras na Gaeilge, has expressed his delight at the announcement; “The research reflects that children at a young age benefit greatly from being exposed to a second language. Therefore, it is imperative that pre-school provision is available for parents who have an interest in giving their child the benefits of bilingualism. Foras na Gaeilge is proud to support these innovative projects which will become a lasting legacy for Irish-medium education within communities.  The importance of high standard early years provision cannot be stressed enough and Foras na Gaeilge looks forward to working with the committees, parents and all staff involved to ensure the highest standards of provision in conjunction with Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta (the representative body for Irish-medium education).”

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Notes for the Editor:

About Foras na Gaeilge

Foras na Gaeilge, the body responsible for the promotion of the Irish language throughout the whole island of Ireland. Visit www.forasnagaeilge.ie for further information.

About the Investment Fund for Establishing Pre-School and Childcare Provision

The Investment Fund for Establishing Pre-School and Childcare Provision was established in 2012 and aims to have a long term impact by supporting the development of Irish-medium education in local communities. To date, Foras na Gaeilge has provided funding to Naíscoil Cholmcille in Galliagh, County Derry, Naíscoil Ghleann an Iolair in South Derry, Tannaghmore Pre-school in south County Antrim and Naíscoil an Chéide in County Armagh through this fund.

Naíscoil na Fíobha is funded by Foras na Gaeilge through the Support for Irish-Medium Education scheme.

Further Information:

Anna Davitt, Programme Manager: Communications, Marketing & Awareness, Foras na Gaeilge

Tel: 0035387 673 6175    

Email: adavitt@forasnagaeilge.ie