COMHAIRLE na Gaelscolaíochta, the Department of Education sponsored body responsible for the promotion of Irish-medium education, is currently carrying out a feasibility study into the establishment of an Irish-medium pre-school in the Sion Mills area.

Sion Mills is one of the areas included in Comhairle's framework document for the development of the Irish-medium sector. The aim of the framework is to create a geographical plan and timetable for the establishment of Irish-medium education. It is based on the view that Irish-medium education should be available as a right to parents and their children.

There has been a huge growth in demand for Irish-medium education throughout Ireland in recent years, with currently over 37,000 children being educated in the Irish-medium sector and new schools opening every year.

Around 80 schools here provide education through the medium of Irish. According to Aodán Mac Sheafraidh, Comhairle Development Officer in Sion Mills, "The fact that parents are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of a bilingual education would appear to account for much of the growth in the Irish-medium sector. Research into the performance of bilingual children in reading, writing and general performance in school indicates that they have significant advantages".

The support and involvement of local communities is essential for the development of Irish-medium schools. The aim of the feasibility study in Sion Mills is to assess the demand for Irish-medium education in the area and to establish how the local community may be able to support the development of Irish-medium education.

If you would like to receive further information regarding Irish-medium education or if you would like to register an interest in the development of Irish-medium education in the Sion Mills area please contact Aodán Mac Sheafraidh at Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta on 90 321475 or email amacsheafraidh@comhairle.org.

Many children entering Irish-Medium schools have no previous experience of Irish; however, they soon begin to acquire the language naturally through daily experience of an Irish language environment. They are also have the opportunity to benefit from the many proven benefits of bilingualism which include enhanced communication skills; higher performance in exams; a head start in reading; advanced creative thinking; improved self-esteem and high levels of cultural awareness.