The value we place on the Irish language and culture defines who we are. There are only a few gaeltacht areas in the Country. We have Dingle in our County and Ballyvourney, just over the Cork border.
Gael Scoil have proved to be very popular as a choice of education in our communities. After National school, secondary education beckons. This is where a problem arises for a number of Killarney students.
If you live in one part of the Town you are said to be in the Tralee catchment area for your education through the medium of Irish. But if you live in the eastern side, but still in the Killarney urban area you are entitled to travel to Bally for your education.
This therefore causes confusion and concern for students and parents alike. You need a quorum of students to use School bus transport. The area of Killarney urban should be defined as one catchment area, therefore giving the students (a) sufficient numbers to be entitle to receive school transport. (b) Support the culture and up-keep of a gaeltacht area by giving our youth the opportunity to be educated there.
At the last meeting of Killarney Town Council, I requested that we write to the relevant department to ratify this situation.
