Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 November 2023
270. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if summer gaeltacht scholarships are available for 2024 for second level students who do not attend a DEIS school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50653/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe DEIS Gaeltachta scheme was established by my Department in 2019 and provides up to 400 scholarships annually to pupils of more than 200 DEIS post-primary schools across the country to attend a Gaeltacht Irish language course during the summer months. A fund of €400,000 is available for the scheme annually and it is administered on behalf of the Department by Galway Roscommon Education Training Board. It is my Department's intention to continue funding this scheme for 2024.
In addition to the DEIS Gaeltachta scheme, a further €500,000 has been made available in Budget 2024 to support additional social inclusion measures in the Irish Summer Colleges sector. This funding will allow a wider cohort of young people to attend a Gaeltacht summer college course. It is anticipated that this funding will benefit young people who currently do not qualify for the Department's DEIS Gaeltachta scheme and who wish to attend Gaeltacht Irish language courses. Details of the scheme will be announced early next year.
It should be noted that in addition to the aforementioned grant schemes which are funded by my Department, it is understood that a number of other public and private organisations administer Irish college scholarship schemes. As my Department does not have oversight of these schemes, I am not in a position to provide details of same.
