Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 October 2017
91. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the financial supports available to parents who wish to send their children to Gaeltacht areas (details supplied) over the summer months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42589/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra98. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the hardship that the withdrawal of Government subsidies towards mandatory Gaeltacht courses for primary school student teachers has caused; if these subsidies will be reinstated in budget 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42483/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra102. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to reinstate or introduce a grant aid payment to families who wish to send their children to Gaeltacht areas (details supplied) in 2018 and beyond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42590/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra108. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to restore the subsidy granted to all B. Ed. and professional masters of education students, who are required by the teaching council to undergo two mandatory two-week Gaeltacht courses. [42669/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra109. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the grant for primary school student teachers for their courses in the Gaeltacht as part of their training will be restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42691/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra111. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will restore subsidies to student primary school teachers in respect of Gaeltacht courses undertaken by them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42697/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra130. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if budget 2018 will reinstate the subsidies for the two mandatory Gaeltacht courses (details supplied) which student primary school teachers attend. [42873/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 91, 98, 102, 108, 109, 111 and 130 together.
The decision to stop the Gaeltacht placement grants was taken during the economic crisis when, unfortunately, very difficult decisions had to be made to stabilise the nation's finances. Priority was given to protecting resources for front-line education services as far as possible, which remains particularly challenging with rising numbers of school-going children. My Department does not have the funding available to restore this support.
It should be noted that, to assist with the costs of the Gaeltacht placement, students who are in receipt of a student grant which includes a 100% fee grant, or who would have qualified for a full fee grant but for the Free Fees Schemes, can apply for funding toward travel and accommodation costs under the field trip element of a fee grant, subject to the normal terms and conditions of the student grant scheme.Apart from this, in circumstances of particular need, students may apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. Information in relation to this fund is available through the Access Officer in the third-level institution attended
