Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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521. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills with regard to the Gaeltacht learning period grant for primary ITE programmes, to consider the implementation of a similar grant model for post-primary ITE programmes, as the majority of Gaeilge post-primary student teachers have two compulsory cúrsaí Gaeltachta, each two weeks in duration, as part of their programme, and this is identical to the required placements included in primary ITE programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14382/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The current requirements for Gaeltacht Learning Periods (GLPs) for primary Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes takes the form of 2 x 2-week placements as part of the ITE programme. This requirement is outlined in the Teaching Council’s Céim: Standards for Initial Teacher Education and such programmes must follow Na Siollabais Oifigiúla do na Tréimhsí Foghlama sa Ghaeltacht do Mhic Léinn Oideachais.

As outlined in the Post Primary Curricular Subject Requirements, prior to completion of their teacher education studies, post-primary student teachers should (where relevant) provide verifiable evidence of an immersive educational experience in the curricular language that they are studying of a minimum of four weeks duration. This may be accessed in two blocks, each of which must be at least two weeks. In the case of Gaeilge, at least one of these blocks must be in a Gaeltacht setting with the option of one block in an Irish-medium setting.

The immersive educational experience(s) for Gaeilge must be one of the following:

• attending an Irish language course
• working as a staff member in an educational setting in the Gaeltacht
• conducting an action research project which is of relevance to their teaching studies
• engaging in School Placement.

With regards to post primary student teachers, the requirement to attend at a programme of study in a Gaeltacht college is only one of the four options available to satisfy the evidence of an immersive educational experience in Gaeilge.

As such, the GLP grant is not made available for students on post primary ITE programmes.