81.Section 25 inserts a new section 15A into the 2016 Act, requiring an education authority to establish a catchment area for each Gaelic medium school. For schools which exist prior to the day this section comes into force, a catchment area must be established within a period of 2 years of that day. For schools which are established after this section comes into force, the duty will apply on establishment of the school. The catchment area may, but need not, be the same as for other schools, or for any English medium education at the same school. In establishing a catchment area, the education authority must take account of the need to provide reasonable travel arrangements.
Commentary on Provisions Part 1: Gaelic Chapter 2: Education Section 25: Duty to establish a catchment area for schools providing Gaelic medium education