Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1184: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress made in regard to the commitment given in the programme for Government to provide a scholarship scheme for children from disadvantaged areas to attend courses in the Gaeltacht and funding for summer courses in the children's local areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29442/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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With regard to the summer courses in Irish for primary school children in designated disadvantaged schools, these commenced on a pilot basis in 2007 and are referred to as Campaí Samhraidh. Children's command of Irish is improved through participation in a range of activities, including music, arts and crafts and games, conducted through the medium of Irish. The programmes are developed by teachers working to guidelines produced by the Department of Education and Science. The scheme is run by Dublin West Education Centre in conjunction with the Primary Professional Development Service. A grant of €5420 is paid to each participating school to cover the project costs. In 2009, funding of €160,000 has been provided to cover the costs of training the teachers and project costs for participating schools. There are 20 schools participating in the week long course and each school has capacity for up to 36 students from 3rd to 6th class.

The Gaeltacht Scholarship scheme has been established. It is designed to enable children enrolled in designated disadvantaged post-primary schools to attend Coláistí Gaeilge. In 2007, 91 students availed of the scheme at a cost of €66,554 and 128 students availed of the scheme in 2008 at a cost of €100,454.