Nearly 2,100 primary school children in Kerry are unable to access a gaelscoil.
That's according to Department of Education data compiled by An Foras Pátrúnachta, the largest patron of Irish-language schools at primary and secondary level.
In Kerry, 15.1% of parents with children in English-medium schools said they would like their child's school to operate through Irish.
The Kerry figure is higher than the national average, where 13% of parents said they would choose an Irish-language school.
Just four of Kerry's 116 primary schools outside the Gaeltacht are gaelscoileanna.
An Foras Pátrúnachta estimates 2,088 children in Kerry currently do not have access to a gaelscoil, despite their parents wishing to send them to such a school.
General Secretary of An Foras Pátrúnachta, Caoimhín Ó hÉaghra, believes the real demand is significantly higher.
He cited the Irish Language Attitudes Survey, published this year by Foras na Gaeilge, which he said puts demand at 45%.
Mr Ó hÉaghra said it is clear that more gaelscoileanna are needed across Kerry.
An Foras Pátrúnachta wants the Department of Education to put a plan in place to provide more gaelscoileanna at primary and secondary level.
Parents who wish to have their children educated in a gaelscoil are being encouraged to petition the Government to make access to a gaelscoil a reality.
The parents' group imeasc.ie believes a lack of legislation is the root cause of the shortage of Irish-medium education.
