Demand Survey Statistics

Economic and Social Research Institute

Attitudes Towards the Irish Language study (2015)

by Dr Merike Darmody & Tania Daly of Amárach Research

The study which examined the general public’s attitudes (and was not limited to graduates of Irish-medium education) found:

23%

23% of respondents would choose a local Gaelscoil for their children if one were available

72%

72% agreed either strongly or mildly with the statement that “The government should provide all-Irish schools wherever the public want them”

64%

Almost two-thirds (64 per cent) believe that Ireland would lose its identity without the Irish language.’

Read the Report

USI Report on the Teaching of Irish 2021


The report shows a high demand for Irish-medium education at both primary and secondary level, with 70% of all respondents saying they would send their own children to Gaelscoileanna

70%

The report also indicated that 98% of those who attended Gaelscoileanna themselves saying they would send their own children to Irish-medium schools. The report recommends this demand is met in the Irish school system.

98%

According to figures arising from the research commissioned by Conradh na Gaeilge entitled Attitudes towards the Irish Language and Irish language policy by Paul Browne of Millward Browne

72%

72% agreed with the statement “Every child should be entitled to have their education through the medium of Irish, if that is their preferred choice”.

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Kantar Millward Browne

2020

According to figures arising from the research commissioned by Conradh na Gaeilge entitled Attitudes towards the Irish Language and Irish language policy by Kantar Millward Browne

Republic of Ireland
49%
Northern Ireland
23%

49 / 23% of parents in Ireland / N Ireland would send their children to an Irish-medium school if it was available in there area.

Republic of Ireland
73%
Northern Ireland
54%

73 / 54% of parents in Ireland / N Ireland said that all children who had their primary education in an all Irish school should have the opportunity to continue their post-primary education through Irish.

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An Foras Pátrúnachta

February 2015

Statistics from An Foras Pátrúnachta combined with Dept. of Ed span a period from 2013-2021. There are a total of 30 surveys based on eligible parents responding to a plebiscite for the creation of a new school.

32%

While the surveys cover a small geographical area, (70% are in greater Dublin area) they indicate a consistent demand of between 22%-26% in all but 2 of the surveys, with 6 surveys having demand over 32%.

It should be noted that in 2019 the Dept. Ed moved to on-line surveys which appears to have reduced the total number of responses by c. 80% and registered demand for IME by over 1/3. With much reduced numbers responding, the absence of a handful of responses has a significant impact on overall registered interest in IME.

Parents want legislation to provide IME