The new measures are reported to help prioritise admission to Gaelscoilleanna for Irish-speaking families.
Four-year-olds may be required to do interviews through Irish to help ensure their spot in Gaelscoileanna. The new requirements are being considered in a bid to prioritise admission to fluent Irish-speaking families.
As it stands, many Gaelscoileanna already interview Irish-speaking parents to establish the level of Irish in the home, however, the amendment to the current bill would see potential students being asked to join the interview.
A spokesman for the Department of Education told The Irish Times that the amendment is currently being drafted.
“The Minister is supportive of and wishes to promote the Irish language and Irish-medium schools as far as possible.”
The proposed amendment has been praised by the likes of Cearta Oideachais who represent Irish-speaking families, saying that Irish-speaking school should be allowed to give priority to Irish-speaking pupils.
