Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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210. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to reinstate the funding of trainee teachers travel and living costs associated with a mandatory requirement to spend a number of weeks in An Gaeltacht as part of their training; if he has considered setting up a full or part granting scheme for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7825/19]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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211. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to reintroduce a subsidy (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7826/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 210 and 211 together.

There is no provision currently in my Department's budget for the Gaeltacht placement grant or an element thereof in 2019.

However, to assist with the costs of the Gaeltacht placement, students who are in receipt of a student grant which includes a 100% fee grant, or who would have qualified for a full fee grant but for the Free Fees Scheme, can apply for funding towards travel and accommodation costs under the field trip element of a fee grant, subject to the normal terms and conditions of the student grant scheme. Apart from this, in circumstances of particular need, students may apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. Information in relation to this fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended.