Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
534. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the estimated cost of increasing the per-student support for Gaeltacht hostels and residential colleges to €10 per head, €12.50 per head, to €15 per head and in line with inflation since the grant was discontinued. [40452/22]
View answerAt the outset. I wish to point out that the grant scheme referred to by the Deputy has not been discontinued. Indeed it should be noted that, earlier this year, I approved an increase in the daily grant paid under the scheme - the first increase in ten years.
The four residential Gaeltacht colleges recognised under Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge and which currently run courses catered for a total of 2,477 students in 2019, the last year for which figures are available due to COVID. On that basis the estimated cost of increasing the rate payable under the scheme would be as follows:
|
Proposed increase |
Estimated Cost |
|
€10 @ head |
€24,770 |
|
€12.50 @ head |
€30,962 |
|
€15@ head |
€37,155 |
As the Deputy is aware, increases in provision are dependent on the resources available to the Department. Any increased funding in 2023 will be determined in the forthcoming Estimates process.
