Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I warmly welcome the legendary hard-working Minister of State from Gweedore and thank him for coming here today. While I question the Government's commitment to the Irish language no politician could question the Minister of State's commitment. I make that distinction, despite the fact that the Minister of State was appointed by the Government.

Students have attended Gaeltacht colleges over many years and have benefited from the massive contributions of the mná tí. I wish to acknowledge that contribution publicly. The mná tí are very special characters who take young people under their wings and show them the benefits of the Irish language and the ordinary simply things that are important to us such as céilí nights and all of what goes on in Gaeltachtaí. The bean an tí is a very special type of woman. The mná tí run the houses and do excellent work. That should be acknowledged.

The Minister of State knows that mná tí are finding it harder to get students to come to Irish colleges. Grants have been cut and running an open house for students is not as attractive as it once was. In many cases scholarships are no longer available to children to attend Irish colleges during the summer months and there is not the same financial wherewithal.