Grant Payments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 November 2011

Wednesday, 16 November 2011

Questions (169)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

169 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will consider making grant aid available to students from disadvantaged backgrounds to enable them to attend Irish language courses in the Gaeltacht; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34964/11]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Deputy Dinny McGinley)

Under Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge, my Department provides assistance to Gaeltacht households who accommodate Irish students while attending Gaeltacht Summer Colleges. This helps to reduce the cost for those families who wish to send their children to the Gaeltacht, including those from disadvantaged areas.

While my Department does not provide direct financial support to families who wish to send their children to the Gaeltacht, assistance of this nature may be available in some cases from the relevant local authority or from the relevant Vocational Education Committee.