I mí an Mheithimh chuir an Roinn Oideachas in iúl do naíscoileanna sa tuasiceart cé acu an mbeidh nó nach mbeidh maoiniú á fháil acu i mí Mheán Fhómhair, ach ní raibh aon cheann de trí naíscoil Ghaeilge a bhí ag brath ar an airgead ina measc.
Is maoiniú é seo atá ann chun cuidiú le reáchtáil na scoile, ach lena fháil is gá a chruthú go bhfuil an scoil féinmhaoinithe aisti féin ar dtús.
Bhí trí naíscoil Ghaeilge i mBeal Feirste ag brath ar an airgead breise: Naíscoil Ard Eoin, Naíscoil an tSleibhe Dhuibh agus Naíscoil na Móna, atá suite i gcuid de na ceantair is boichte ó thuaidh. Deir na scoileanna nach féidir a bheith iomlán féinmhaoinithe i gceantar bocht ó tharla nach bhfuil flúirse airgid sa phobal máguaird.
Chuaigh Meon Eile go hArd Eoin agus labhair muid le hAoife Uí Mhuireagáin, tuismitheoir ón cheantar a raibh le mac s’aici a chur chuig an naíscoil i mbliana. Tá eagla ar an phobal go mbeidh ar an scoil a doirse a dhruidim.
Chuaigh Meon Eile i dteagmháil leis an Roinn Oideachais agus tá a ráiteas le léamh anseo thíos:
“The Pathway Fund is an annual, competitive fund and supports children (aged 0-4) who are at risk of not fulfilling their educational potential. The Fund targets provision in areas of greatest disadvantage and for children with additional educational needs. Applicants are not required to operate on a Social Economy basis to be eligible for funding.
“All three settings met the eligibility requirements of the fund and the quality threshold within their 2020/21 applications. However, they were not awarded funding as the Pathway Fund was exhausted when it reached their position on the ranked list. The eligibility criteria and annual application are the same as when it was initiated in 2015.
“The Department has made a bid for additional funding for the Pathway Fund in 2020/21, in light of pressures on the Early Years sector due to COVID-19. ”