Funding Announced For Irish Language Summer Schools And Schemes

The Communities Minister, Deirdre Hargey, has announced that Líofa bursary funding of more than £30,000 is to be redirected into several local Irish language organisations to help increase capacity in summer schools and summer schemes.

Speaking after a visit to Irish language organisation An Droichead in south Belfast Minister Hargey said: "The current public health restrictions arising from the Covid-19 pandemic have led to the cancellation of language courses in the Gaeltacht and the bursary for a second successive year. This has increased demand on an already over-subscribed programme of Irish language summer events.

"I am therefore delighted to be able to have been able to redirect this bursary funding to these local Irish language community organisations, such as An Droichead, which will help increase capacity in the summer schools and schemes. The broad programme of events through July and August will provide opportunities for language acquisition and enrichment opportunities for both adults and children in many locations across the north."

The Minister concluded: "I am hopeful that the Gaeltacht courses will return in 2022 and we have written to all successful applicants to the bursary scheme this year to inform that their offer of a scholarship will remain valid for next year."