Debate contribution: Irish-medium Education: Specialist Provision in Mainstream Schools

Debate contribution by Ms Carál Ní Chuilín on 1 June 2026.

MLA: Ms Carál Ní Chuilín
Party at the time: Sinn Féin
Date: 1 June 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Irish-medium Education: Specialist Provision in Mainstream Schools
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5581106

Text

I thank the Minister for that response. I have a close family relative who is in need of a SPiMS unit in an Irish-medium school but cannot access one in North Belfast at all. Apart from access in P4 and P5, they will have to go to an English-speaking school, even though Irish is their first language. Will the Minister look at that growing inequality? I am absolutely sure that he would not be content with children who have Irish as their first language being discriminated against, particularly those with a statement of special educational needs.

96 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Part of an exchange

This follow-up belongs to: Oral question AQO 3615/22-27.

Assessment

Not analysed

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