The European Bureau for Lesser Used Languages has called on the Minister for Education to reverse her decision not to recognise seven new gaelscoileanna.
Three of the schools opened unofficially last year, in Ballybrack, Co Dublin; Enniscorthy, Co Wexford; and Clones, Co Monaghan. The others are due to open next month. The Minister, Ms Breathnach, defended her decision on the grounds that some of the schools threaten the future viability of existing schools.
The bureau said the right of parents to educate their children in the language of their choice had been "clearly recognised" by the European Parliament and enshrined in the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.
The bureau also called on Ms Breathnach to set up a planning unit within the Department to address "in a systematic and sympathetic manner" the growing demand for education through Irish.
"The Department of Education has no plan for developing Irish medium education. Rather, it seemingly reacts to parental demand when this demand is persistent and cannot easily be resisted.
"It is appalling that parents should have to raise thousands of pounds to pay teachers' salaries and other running costs and then content themselves with a sports pavilion or other inadequate accommodation while the Minister refuses to face up to her constitutional obligation.
Bord na Gaeilge yesterday expressed its "dissatisfaction" with the Minister's decision. Officials from the State board met officials from the Department last week. They asked the Department to reverse the recent changes in the way rules for the recognition of new schools are applied. Some of the new gaelscoileanna were refused recognition as a result of these changes.