THE Irish language secondary school in west Belfast, Meanscoil Feirste, is to receive full funding from the British government for the first time.
The decision was announced yesterday by the North's Education Minister, Mr Michael Ancram. The school on the Falls Road opened five years ago with nine pupils and now has 140.
Normally, at least 300 pupils are needed before a secondary school qualifies for full government funding.
However, the government has stretched the rules in the case of Meanscoil Feirste, believing its numbers will increase due to an influx of pupils from the six Irish language primary schools which are already government funded.
Meanscoil Feirste receives £100,000 a year from the Making Belfast Work project but must raise an additional £200,000 annually for running costs.
It is believed that the government grant will be £500,000. Mr Ancram said the school was viable and provided an "efficient education".
The SDLP MP for West Belfast, Dr Joe Hendron, described the decision as "very positive". The Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, also welcomed the development, but said that more must be done to create a truly bilingual society.
Dr Philip McGarry, of the Alliance Party, congratulated Meanscoil Feirste on its success but urged the government to show similar generosity towards religiously integrated schools.
"The Department of Education has breached its own guidelines by funding the Meanscoil with its current number of pupils. Its supporters have persuaded the Department that there should be flexibility for a school outside the mainstream".
The government should now review the situation regarding support for the integrated sector.