Advertisement
Summer Gaeltacht courses cance...

Ireland

Summer Gaeltacht courses cancelled for this year

Jonathan Duane
Jonathan Duane

05:43 7 May 2021


Share this article


It's after a Departmental review.

Image Credit: Photo © Oliver Dixon (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Summer Gaeltacht language courses won't be going ahead this year after a consultation process with the sector.

It found the Mna an Tí who would be hosting the students had serious health and safety concerns for their families and Gaeltacht communities due to COVID-19.

Many course operators had similar concerns and a decision has been made by Gaeltacht Minister Jack Chambers and the government not to proceed with state-funded courses this summer.

Work is underway on a 'stabilization package' to support the sector through its second summer of cancellations, a move that's expected to cost tens of millions for Gaeltacht communities.

It's understood there won't be a ban on courses happening if an operator feels it can go ahead with all the required health and safety measures in place, but the government expects the vast majority to be cancelled.

Some online Irish language courses are expected to be offered with Minister Chambers saying he wants to ensure the viability of the sector into 2022 and beyond.


Share this article