Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline recent changes in funding for compulsory student teacher training in the Gaeltacht; if he will confirm that the cost of this training had until recently been funded by the State and that this is no longer the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52808/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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As part of the Government's budgetary considerations and the Comprehensive Expenditure Review last year, a decision was made to abolish the payment of grants by this Department towards the cost of student teachers' attendance at Gaeltacht courses. The decision came into effect for students commencing their programme of primary initial teacher education in the 2012/13 academic year. As the Deputy will be aware, priority is being given to protecting resources for front line services in the coming years.

This move brings the primary ITE courses more into line with other degree programmes, such as language degrees, where students are required to bear the costs of additional special requirements themselves.