Departmental figures show that over 29,000 learners participated in courses at Gaeltacht colleges in 2025. This represents an increase on the figure for 2024 and also on the pre-pandemic figure of 2019 which both stood at around 27,000. In order to ensure the standard and effectiveness of courses provided, both my own department and the Department of Education and Youth implement an agreed annual inspection regime in line with published guidelines to which both colleges and accommodation providers must adhere. In addition, both departments meet regularly in order to review findings and ensure adequate future planning.
In overall support of providing learning opportunities for second-level students, my department provides specific grant-aid under the scheme by way of initiatives such as;
• Scéim Oileánda (ÁRAINN) Gaeltachta – a specific grant-aid provided to qualifying households on the Aran Islands who provide accommodation for students attending one of the three island-based post-primary schools for an entire school-year. This scheme operates at full capacity.
• ERASMUS Gaeltachta - a fund worth €250,000 which facilitates opportunities to enable third-level institutions to offer up to 175 third-level students a semester in the Gaeltacht. Current figures show an increase in participation in this scheme as compares to 2024.
• DEIS Gaeltachta - a specific scholarship fund, which is administered by Galway Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB) on behalf of my Department. Over 800 scholarships are offered annually to provide opportunities for attendees of DEIS post-primary schools throughout the country to attend recognised Irish summer colleges in the Gaeltacht. At the request of my Department, the GRETB has gathered data on the applications to the scheme in 2024/2025. Figures from GRETB show an increase in applications under the scheme, with 63% of eligible schools submitting applications in 2024, an increase on the 34% who applied in 2022.
The Department also offers targeted supports to the sector. These supports include:
• A once-off starter grant available to newly-recognised families - worth up €6,000 or 80% of costs, whichever is the lesser. This supports households with the cost of works required to comply with fire safety requirements, and the purchase of bed frames and mattresses as required. 35 new households have registered under the scheme to date in 2025.
• The recently launched short-term capital scheme providing targeted support to long-established households, with a grant of up to €2,000 or 80% of costs, whichever is the lesser, against the cost of purchasing new bedframes and mattresses. Over 200 established households applied for this upgrade grant.
Figures from the scheme will, as is current practice, be included in the Department’s performance budgeting metrics which form part of the Annual Public Sector Estimates Volume. It should be noted by the Deputy, however, that the colleges themselves operate on a commercial basis and receive no direct operational support funding from my department. The support of the Department is, accordingly, geared towards increasing access and supporting households who provide accommodation.
As regards the economic benefits of the scheme, I can confirm that a number of studies have been carried out down through the years which have confirmed that it generates significant primary, secondary and tertiary economic benefits annually for the Gaeltacht.
I am satisfied that these measures provide significant language-learning opportunities for young people and generate substantial down-stream economic benefits for Gaeltacht regions.
