Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

As the Deputy is aware, I recently announced the launch of a special fund of €300,000 that will support the development of Irish language programmes in third level institutions overseas. This will be provided through my Department's ciste na Gaeilge fund, which supports various projects and organisations involved in promoting the Irish language.

Applications will be assessed relative to a number of criteria. These are the track record of the applicant in terms of the provision of Irish language courses and the promotion of Irish generally; the business plan of the organisation; the availability of co-funding from other sources; and the existence of courses that concentrate on teaching the language as distinct from courses that provide information on the language.

Priority will be given to applications which have arrangements in place for co-funding and which provide an accredited qualification as part of the programme. A substantial number of third level institutions overseas already provide courses in Irish language and culture. I anticipate that this new fund will lead to the consolidation and further development of such courses worldwide.

See this speech in context