Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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116. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the supports available for Gaeltacht host families accommodating students during summer 2025. [38067/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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In order to foster language acquisition and enrichment opportunities in the Gaeltacht outside of the post-primary education system for learners of the language, my Department provides a subsidy under the Irish Language Learners Scheme (Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge) payable to qualifying Gaeltacht households who provide accommodation for those attending an Irish course in any one of the c. 40 Irish-language colleges operating under the scheme.

A grant of €13.00 per student per night is paid under Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge to recognised households accommodating learners. This payment is in addition to the fee paid to them separately by the Irish colleges. The nightly rate was increased to €13.00 in 2024 - the third such increase since 2022, and equates to an almost 30% increase in the grant since 2020. 41 new households were recognised under Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge in 2024 and all income received by recognised households is free from income-tax.

Newly-recognised families may also avail of a once-off starter grant. This grant is paid to support households with covering the costs of necessary works to comply with fire safety requirements, including installation of alarms and fire suppression systems, and the purchase of bed frames and mattresses. The grant is worth up to €6,000 or 80% of costs, whichever is the lesser.

A cap of 12 learners per household was also removed in recent years and increased to a maximum of 16 learners per household per course. This initiative increased capacity for greater numbers of students to attend courses and also allowed households who could accommodate a greater number of learners to increase their income generated from the scheme.

It is my intention to continue to support the maintenance and development of this sector, as outlined in the current Programme for Government.