Increase granted for accommodation providers for Irish-language college attendees

An increase in the subsidies payable to Gaeltacht families and residential colleges who provide accommodation for attendees of Irish-language colleges has been approved

The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, has announced that he has approved an increase in the subsidies payable to Gaeltacht families and residential colleges who provide accommodation for attendees of Irish-language colleges.

The Minister made the announcement during a visit to Colaiste Mhuigheo where he met with mná tí, teachers, students and staff, with Pat the Cope Gallagher welcoming the announcement. 

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The subsidy for ordinary courses will rise from €13.00 to €14.50, while the rate for hostel or residential college accommodation will go up from €9.50 to €10.50. ERASMUS Gaeltachta participants will benefit from an increase from €22.00 to €23.50. Those attending courses under the Scéim Oileánda (Árainn) Gaeltachta will see their subsidy rise from €34.00 to €35.50.

More than 500 families across the Gaeltacht who are registered with the Department under the scheme will benefit from the increase, with effect from the beginning of the 2025 summer courses on 31 May 2025.

The increase follows the nearly 30% increase to the subsidy rate payable to families and the 90% increase to residential colleges and hostels since 2022.

Today’s announcement also includes an increase to the subsidies payable under two of the Department’s other schemes, Scéim Oileánda (ÁRAINN) Gaeltachta which provides students with the opportunity to spend a whole school year on one of the three Árainn islands and the ERAMUS Gaeltachta Scheme which gives third-level students the opportunity to spend a semester in the Gaeltacht.

The overall objective of this initiative is to support the Irish language and the Gaeltacht in line with the objectives of the Government’s 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030.