Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins has expressed deep concern at the Department of Education’s decision to transform Synge Street CBS into a co-educational Gaelcholáiste by September 2026.
Deputy Cummins, who represents Dublin South-Central and is the party’s education spokesperson, said:
“While the initiative to expand Irish-medium education is commendable, the manner in which this decision was executed highlights a significant deficiency in the Department’s forward planning and stakeholder engagement.
“First and foremost, I want to express my deep disappointment for the children in this situation. It is not good enough that the students wanting to be educated through Irish and the students of Synge Street CBS are thrown into this uncertainty by the Department of Education.
“The abrupt announcement to convert Synge Street CBS into a Gaelcholáiste, without prior consultation with the existing school community, is deeply troubling. This approach not only disregards the voices of those directly impacted but also sets up a scenario where two educational communities are inadvertently pitted against each other.
“At the heart of this issue are individuals who are deeply committed to education, and they deserve to be treated with respect and consideration.
“The Department of Education recently declared that Synge Street CBS, a longstanding institution in Dublin, will transition to a co-educational Gaelcholáiste starting in September 2026. This decision has elicited strong reactions from various stakeholders, particularly due to the lack of prior consultation.
“The Department’s lack of courtesy and understanding in navigating such significant changes is glaringly evident. The campaign advocating for increased Irish-medium education does not seek to undermine or close existing schools. It is, therefore, disheartening to learn of decisions being made that could potentially jeopardise the future of established institutions like Synge Street CBS.
“I am now calling on the Department of Education to prioritise comprehensive forward planning and to engage in meaningful consultations with all relevant stakeholders before implementing such transformative decisions. The Department needs to recognise the importance of collaboration and transparency in fostering an educational environment that respects and values all communities.”
February 14, 2025