Minister turns down proposal to expand Strabane Gaelscoil into Castlederg

The North’s Education Minister, John O’Dowd, has turned down a development proposal to expand Gaelscoil Uí Dhochartaigh, Strabane.
The Western Education and Library Board had published a development proposal seeking to expand the school through the establishment of an ‘off-site unit’ in Castlederg at the site of the current Gaelscoil na Deirge.
However, Minister O’Dowd says he does not believe the current proposal is financially viable, and he is also concerned at the imnpact this could have on a new-build project for Gaelscoil Uí Dhochartaigh which is currently going through the planning process.
However, he says he is committed to Irish language education in Castlederg, and is asking the relevant bodies to explore options for Irish-medium provision in the area.