Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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345. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if indoor Irish language summer schools for pods of less than 15 children will be permitted in June 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25900/21]

Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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346. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if indoor Irish language summer schools for pods of less than 15 children will be permitted in June 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25908/21]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 345 and 346 together.

I recently announced the outcome of the extensive consultation process undertaken with the Irish Language Summer Colleges sector over the past few weeks.

During the consultation process, a representative group of Gaeltacht households who provide accommodation for students, as well as course operators expressed significant concerns around health and safety, due to COVID-19, were courses to proceed.

On foot of the feedback received and the concerns expressed, a decision has been taken not to proceed with recognised Irish courses this summer.

I understand that this will be disappointing for many young people who were looking forward to attending this year.

I am also conscious of the economic consequences of the decision for Gaeltacht communities. For this reason, officials from my Department will continue to engage with the sector over the coming weeks with a view to progressing an appropriate stabilisation package, thus ensuring that the sector is put on a sound footing for a full and safe return in 2022 and beyond.