“I am well aware of the unique challenges faced by Gaeltacht communities as a result of the Department’s decision that no Irish language courses would be run in the Gaeltacht this summer. The stabilisation fund I am announcing today worth €4.7m seeks to stabilise the sector in a way which recognises the important contribution it makes in providing language learning and enrichment opportunities beyond the normal school and college setting to over 26,000 students annually. The sector, which represents a critical part of the Gaeltacht economy, estimated to be worth €50m annually, also provides a valuable income source to over 700 Gaeltacht householders who provide accommodation for attending students while also generating significant down-stream benefits to Gaeltacht communities. In light of this and the importance of ensuring the sector’s ongoing viability into the future in the broader context of the language, I am delighted to be in a position to provide this stability fund which will be met from existing resources within the Department’s Community and Language Supports Programme.”