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Tuarscail an Chathaoirligh
2022-2023
Chairperson's Report
2022-2023 has seen many new developments with Naiscoil na Seolta as an
Integrated Irish-medium pre-school. As you know Naiscoil na Seolta was
established previously as a result of a major Turas project that has been in the
planning and development since 2018. The past year's move to Garnerville
Presbyterian Church rented accommodation together with formal recognition
as an integrated sector pre-school and funding as Pre-school Education
Provider (to be granted in September 2023} has marked a significant step
forward in development and status of Naiscoil na Seolta. As a result, we will be
able to continue as a "Naionra" that is a playgroup for the youngest age group,
in conjunction with the Naiscoil/voluntary pre-school.
The past year
2022-2023 has shown an increasing interest our playgroup and pre-school
provision. A total of 19 children have attended Naiscoil na Seolta and we
received expressions of interest for 34 places in 2022-2023. Naiscoil na Seolta
has also seen the employment of a new staff team which has brought new
success to the Naiscoil. The ability of staff to provide an interesting, playful and
educational environment for children as well as working well with parents, has
been critical in building up the operation and image of the naiscoil in the

community. 2022-2023 has seen this notable improvement in this regard with
the work of a well-qualified and fully engaged team. Further to this, Naiscoil na
Seolta's official status as a funded voluntary naiscoil (to commence September
2023) has given us a stamp of approval which has in turn inspired us to proceed
with plans for 2024 and the coming years. This of course includes plans to
create a Bunscoil commencing with Rang l {Pl) in 2024.
Proceeding with these developments will not be possible at the Garnerville
location. As a rented premises with restrictions in the hours of use, Naiscoil na
Seolta is prevented from expanding both pre-school services and the
developing a Bunscoil. Additionally, outdoor play has been very restricted at
Garnerville, making the venue less than ideal. The problem of the Garnerville
location has also arisen - it is quite a distance from many of the main
residential areas and "wrap-around care" providers in east Belfast, making it
less attractive to parents.
Other important developments have occurred in 2022-2023. Late in 2022 we
were invited to apply for substantial funding from Ciste um Oilean Comhroinnte
(The Shared Island Fund) to undertake a feasibility study to look at possible
sites and requirements for a permanent location for Naiscoil na Seolta that
would also allow for the development of a Bunscoil. This study was undertaken
on our behalf by Quarter Chartered Accountants (Cathedral Quarter Belfast) in
cooperation with Pilib O Ruanaidh (lontaobhas na Gaelscolaiochta}. This study
identified several potential sites and resulted in the finding of what is,
hopefully, a very suitable site for our future plans. This site is located on
Montgomery Road, Castlereragh Road/Lisnasharragh area. A lease is currently
being agreed with the owners and a planning application will go ahead in the
autumn.
As a result of the completion of the feasibility study the committee of Naiscoil
na Seolta has been able to enter into negotiations with An Roinn
Turasoireachta, Cultuir, Ealaion, Gaeltschta, Spoirt agus Mean (Department of
Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media) for capital build funding
and assistance with rental payments for the site identified as suitable for the
development of the naiscoil/bunscoil. This assistance will help us make possible
the establishment a permanent provision, effectively by-passing an unwieldy
long-term bureaucratic process of applying for assistance to the Education
Authority and DENI. It also allows us to approach the Integrated Education
Fund/NICIE with concrete proposals and an associated application for salary

assistance in establishing an Irish-medium Integrated Pre-school/Primary
School. Naiscoil na Seolta is, of course, also receiving help from Community
Foundation Ireland, Community Foundation Northern Ireland and The Ireland
Fund to help with salary, running costs and other projected costs. These funds
are helping us to get well established until such time as Naiscoil na
Seolta/Bunscoil can seek full recognition from the EA/DENI (as our pupil
numbers allow).
Finally, the most critical aspect of our future development will be child/pupil
numbers. Having sufficient numbers to meet the required quota of a minimum
of eight children receiving Pre-school funding in the future as well as
maintaining good numbers in "pre-pre-school"/naionra which will bode well for
future numbers in a Bunscoil thus enabling us to become a fully funded Irish-
medium Integrated Primary School with associated Pre-school with, as
mentioned, recognition from the EA and DENI.
Signed:
Chairman
Date
Secretary
Date i,1/1 /&2
Date ( l Eu.,
Treasurer