Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 March 2022
268. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if her Department has plans to address the anomaly which exists in respect of professional masters of education students who are required to attend Gaeltacht courses but receive no grant or financial aid. [6123/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current requirements for Gaeltacht Learning Periods (GLPs) for primary Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes takes the form of 2 x 2 week placements, which are outlined in the Teaching Council’s Céim: Standards for Initial Teacher Education.
Budget 2020 provided for the re-instatement of the grant to cover the full cost of the Gaeltacht Learning Periods (GLPs) for undergraduate and post-graduate students on primary ITE programmes in the 4 State-funded higher education institutions providing primary ITE, with effect from the 2020/2021 academic year. The grant was previously funded by my Department up to the 2012/2013 academic year, when it was ceased due to financial constraints. This grant will be made available for undergraduate and post-graduate students in State-funded primary Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes only. This is in line with normal practice for other grant payments per students' qualifying requirements.
