Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 October 2025
755. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the estimated cost of providing payment to Cuntóir Teanga during the school holidays including mid-term, Easter, summer, Halloween and Christmas breaks. [52988/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has funded Scéim na gCúntóirí Teanga in Gaeltacht Schools for many years. In recent years, the scheme has been extended to Gaelscoileanna in Gaeltacht Service Towns and Irish Language Networks outside of the Gaeltacht areas.
The scheme has been extended for the current school year and work is currently underway on drafting a new 3 year agreement with the organisations administering the scheme on my department's behalf. The organisations who administer the scheme on behalf of the Department will be consulted during this process to determine ways to strengthen and develop the scheme as part of the new agreement.
It is conservatively estimated that an additional cost of approximately €1.2m per annum would be required to provide payments to the Cuntóirí Teanga during the school holidays which includes mid-term, Easter, Summer, Halloween and Christmas breaks.
It should also be noted that there has been pay increases of 20% approved by me and my predecessors over the last 4 years to the Cúntóirí Teanga, with hourly rates rising from €21.20 in the 2021/2022 school year to €25.52 for the 2025/2026 school year.
