Minister James Browne welcomes €900,000 funding for Irish language courses for 10 Wexford schools

This will allow students in DEIS post-primary schools across the country to attend Irish language courses in the Gaeltacht during the summer of 2025. The scholarship for a three-week course that will be provided under the fund is worth up to €950 or 85 per cent of the total course fee.

Students from the following Wexford schools can benefit from the scheme: Coláiste Bríde, Enniscorthy, Enniscorthy Community College, New Ross CBS, Kennedy College, New Ross, Selskar College, Wexford, Ramsgrange Community School, Coláiste Abbain, Adamstown, Bridgetown College, Bunclody Vocational College, Gorey Educate Together Secondary School, and Coláiste an Átha, Kilmuckridge.

Minister Martin emphasised the increased demand for spaces and funds since the scheme's inception in 2019.

"The DEIS Gaeltachta scheme has been in great demand since it was established in 2019, when 50 scholarships were available, and we are delighted to announce that there will be more than 800 scholarships available in 2025. This scheme is of considerable importance as it creates more opportunities for young people who might not normally have the opportunity to attend a summer course," she said.

Minister Byrne added: "The increase in the value of the scholarship is in recognition of the need to bridge the gap between course fees and the scholarship itself. Measures like this are particularly important in terms of accessibility, equality and inclusion."

Minister Browne says this funding increase is an encouraging development for the county's Irish speakers.

"More than 800 scholarships will be available in 2025. This scheme is a positive one. It creates more opportunities for young people who might not normally have the opportunity to attend a Gaeltacht course. The application process is expected to be launched early in October," he said.

This policy and others announced earlier this year mean that the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media will be investing more than €6m annually in this sector for the benefit of the Irish language and the Gaeltacht.