Eoin Hayes (Dublin Bay South, Social Democrats)
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154. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills whether her Department has investigated the costs associated with providing funding for the mandatory ‘Tréimhse Foghlama sa Ghaeltacht’ for all student teachers, including public and private colleges and including higher education institutions transport costs; if she will share these costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22775/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the current requirements for the mandatory ‘Tréimhse Foghlama sa Ghaeltacht’ or Gaeltacht Learning Periods (GLPs) for primary Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes takes the form of 2 x 2-week placements, which are outlined in the Teaching Council’s Céim: Standards for Initial Teacher Education.

Budget 2020 provided for the re-instatement of the grant to cover the full cost of GLPs for undergraduate and postgraduate students in State-funded primary ITE programmes, with effect from the 2020/2021 academic year. The grant was previously funded by the Department up to the 2012/2013 academic year, when it was ceased due to financial constraints. The rate of GLP grant is currently set at €845, which is deemed to cover the current cost of the course.

In August 2024, my Department carried out a party political costing of extending the GLP grant to Hibernia students. It was estimated to cost an additional €1 million per year to the Exchequer, based on Hibernia College's 2022/2023 enrolment figures. However, there are no plans to extend the GLP grant to Hibernia College, which is an independent, private provider of ITE at primary and post-primary level. As with other private colleges, its students are not eligible for State grants or other supports, e.g. SUSI grants or GLP grants.

The GLP grant is designed to cover the cost of the course, including internal travel while on the course. Any additional transport costs arising to a student regarding travelling to and from the course would fall to them to cover.