THE Minister for Education has refused recognition to a seventh gaelscoil, according to the Gaelscoileanna organisation.
A spokeswoman for the Department was unable to confirm the decision last night but repeated the Minister's statement that "the door is not closed" on further discussion with the schools. "If they have the pupils they will get approval, as long as the criteria are met", she said.
Meanwhile, parents from the original six schools have announced their "unanimous decision" to press ahead with plans to open next month. They will also campaign for a reversal of the Minister's decision.
The latest school to be refused recognition is Gaelscoil na nDeise in Waterford. The others are in Ballybrack, Co Dublin Enniscorthy, Co Wexford Clones, Co Monaghan Whitehall, Dublin Trim, Co Meath, and Maynooth, Co Kildare.
An eighth school, in Ballinamore, Co Leitrim, was refused recognition earlier in the summer. Although only nine pupils are registered, it will open unofficially next month.
Gaelscoileanna yesterday criticised Ms Breathnach for informing them of the Waterford decision on Wednesday, "a mere two hours after the Minister's public statement supporting all Irish education". It called on her to explain the "discrepancies" between her public statements and practice.
Ms Breathnach had said the requirement was "at least 20 junior infants". "However, all applications have upwards of 24 junior infants, indeed some of the schools have over 30 children enrolled. It would appear therefore that the Minister is saying one thing publicly but is putting entirely different criteria into practice said Gaelscoileanna.
The Department's spokeswoman said other issues considered included the question of suitable accommodation, the long term viability of the schools, and their proximity to other all Irish schools. Where an application was refused, the people involved were informed of these other factors, she said.
The Fianna Fail spokesman on education and the Gaeltacht, Mr Micheal Martin, said the Minister's decision to refuse the recognitions "represents a major blow to the concept of partnership in Irish education.
"It illustrates a contemptuous attitude towards the parents of the children attending these gaelscoileanna", he added.
"It is outrageous that the Minister should only inform the parents and schools concerned at this stage of the year with only one month to go to the start of the new school year.