Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 February 2023
297. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if her Department will put financial supports in place for students undertaking a course at a college (details supplied) who are unable to access the usual Gaeltacht grants and are struggling to meet costs, particularly in view of the increased Gaeltacht fee. [5285/23]
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 in State-funded primary ITE programmes, 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. The rate of student grant for 2023 has been set at an average of €815. This will cover the cost of the undertaking the fortnightly course in 2023. This grant will be made available for undergraduate and post-graduate students in State-funded primary Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes. As the organisation mentioned is an independent private provider of ITE programmes, the re-introduced grant was not made available to students on their primary ITE programmes. This is in line with normal practice for other grant payments.
