Declan Breathnach (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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106. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the Gaeltacht grant was not restored for students in the professional masters of education; his plans to restore the grant to such students; the amount of Gaeltacht fees which will be covered by the grant that was restored for non-professional masters of education students; the amount of the budget of his Department which will be set aside for the provision of the grant in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43680/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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The Gaeltacht placement is really important as an immersive Irish language experience for student teachers. It is improves their communicative competence in Gaeilge, in the context of their future role as teachers of Irish and other subjects through Irish. It also enhances their understanding of life and culture in the Gaeltacht and the reality of life in bilingual communities. 

The decision to stop the Gaeltacht placement grants was taken during the economic crisis when, unfortunately, very difficult decisions had to be made to stabilise the nation's finances.  However, I have been very much aware of the challenge for students around the cost of the placement.

I was very pleased therefore that Budget 2020 restores the Gaeltacht grant for students in State-funded primary initial teacher education (ITE) programmes.  The measure will take effect from the academic year 2020/2021.

Both undergraduate and postgraduate students in State-funded primary ITE programmes will benefit from the measure, which will cost an estimated €1.8 million annually, which breaks down at €1.5m for the Bachelor of Education and €300,000 for the PME students.  These figures are based on an estimated cost to students of €750 per two-week placement.