The government have announced that they have established a fund worth €2.2m to support eligible Gaeltacht families who normally provide accommodation for summer college students.
The funding is being made available on foot of the cancellation of Irish language courses in the Gaeltacht for the second summer in succession due to COVID-19. As this is the second successive year that COVID-19 has forced the cancellation of the Irish language colleges, an increase of 25% over the amount paid in 2020 under a similar measure is being provided under this measure to qualifying householders. This ultimately means that a payment of €5 per student will be provided instead of €4 – as provided under last year’s measure. This will be based on the number of students accommodated in 2019.
The Department is continuing to engage with stakeholders with a view to providing appropriate assistance to summer colleges as well as Gaeltacht community halls affected by the cancellation of summer Irish language courses this summer. Minister Martin said: “It is a major step forward that this funding is being made available to the approximately 700 families in the Gaeltacht who provide accommodation.
