THE head of an Irish-language school has queried the decision to knock back a bid to open a funded nursery.
A proposal for an Irish-medium pre-school unit at Gaelscoil na Daróige in Derry was turned down due to there being other schools "within a three mile radius".
Minister Peter Weir said opening a new nursery would "create sustainability issues".
In addition, he rejected a separate proposal for another part-time Irish-medium nursery unit - this time at Bunscoil an Iúir in Newry.
This has angered campaigners who said the DUP promised, in its assembly election manifesto, "tackle the preferential treatment of Irish medium in school build".
There is a part-time voluntary nursery on the Derry site, but it wanted to upgrade its status to be on a par a nearby English-medium pre-school.
Mr Weir said he recognised his statutory duty to encourage and facilitate the development of Irish-medium.
He added, however, that he also needed to consider the "potential displacement of a good quality voluntary pre-school setting".
"There are three Irish-medium schools within a three mile radius, two of which are currently undersubscribed for nursery provision therefore approving this proposal could create sustainability issues for all existing providers," he said.
"There is not enough evidence for the requirement of additional Irish-medium pre-school provision at Gaelscoil na Daróige. There is already sufficient provision to meet future demand for Irish-medium pre-school places in the area."
Gaelscoil na Daróige principal, Oisín MacEó, said the "three mile radius" argument should not have been used.
A detailed report prepared by Department of Education officials to inform the minister's decision focused on other schools within two miles.
"In making previous decisions, the department have always considered the implications for schools within a two mile radius, as this is the acceptable walking distance to school according to the department's own handbook," Mr MacEó said.
"This has been changed in relation to our application to now consider schools and their sustainability issues from a wider area than usual.
"The minister says he cannot allow us a statutory nursery as it will displace the already existing good quality, voluntary pre-school. We are in effect, being punished for running a good quality voluntary pre-school."
A department spokeswoman insisted there had been no policy change.
"In assessing the proposal, consideration was given to the total level of pre-school provision within a two and five mile radii of Gaelscoil na Daróige. As Irish-medium providers may enter the pre-school Education Programme even where unfilled English-medium provision is available in the area, consideration was also given to Irish-medium pre-school provision specifically," she said.
"Maximum travel times for primary and post-primary schools are set out in the Sustainable Schools Policy. The Sustainable Schools Policy does not apply to pre-school provision.
"It is a statement of fact that there are three IM primary schools in this area. However, the level of pre-school provision is assessed at two miles and five miles as detailed in the submission to the minister."
