Plans for a new Irish language college campus to cope with increasing demand have been made public. Coláiste
Feirste in west Belfast wants to increase its annual admission number
from 100 to 130 pupils with a phased increase in its overall enrolment
from 600 to 850.
It hopes to do this by opening a satellite campus in the north of the city next year.
Details have been released by the Education Authority (EA) ahead of a consultation.
Coláiste Feirste is at capacity. Governors devised the campus plan in response to "clear and continuing growth in demand for places in the school" which it was not possible to accommodate on the current Beechmount site.
A dual site at St Enda's GAA club, and adjacent to Gaelscoil Éanna, is the preferred option, according to a `case for change' document published by the EA.
The case for change outlines the background and reasons for the proposal as well as supporting arguments from school governors.
There are only two standalone Irish language post-primary schools in the north - Coláiste Feirste and Gaelcholáiste Dhoire in Dungiven.
At present, more than 100 pupils from north Belfast receive financial support to travel by bus to Coláiste Feirste.
It hopes to do this by opening a satellite campus in the north of the city next year.
Details have been released by the Education Authority (EA) ahead of a consultation.
Coláiste Feirste is at capacity. Governors devised the campus plan in response to "clear and continuing growth in demand for places in the school" which it was not possible to accommodate on the current Beechmount site.
A dual site at St Enda's GAA club, and adjacent to Gaelscoil Éanna, is the preferred option, according to a `case for change' document published by the EA.
The case for change outlines the background and reasons for the proposal as well as supporting arguments from school governors.
There are only two standalone Irish language post-primary schools in the north - Coláiste Feirste and Gaelcholáiste Dhoire in Dungiven.
At present, more than 100 pupils from north Belfast receive financial support to travel by bus to Coláiste Feirste.
