John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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64. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to offer a grant or bursary scheme to parents wishing to send their children to the Gaeltacht; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19901/18]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that under the provisions of Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge (Irish Learners' scheme) the cost of attending recognised Irish summer college courses is subvented by way of a daily grant (currently €10 per student) which is payable to qualifying householders who provide suitable accommodation to attending students.

This investment (in support of the overall objectives of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2022) accounted for exchequer expenditure in excess of €4.07m in 2017 and provided learning opportunities to more than 26,000 students who resided with 659 registered households while attending courses provided by 49 recognised Gaeltacht Irish summer colleges.

I understand that a number of organisations, including Educational and Training Boards, in addition to a number of Irish summer colleges, currently provide scholarships in order to further enable attendance.

By way of underpinning the measures in hand in support of the language and, by extension the 20-Year Strategy, the issue of scholarships is currently being considered.