No Irish language courses will be run in the Gaeltacht this summer as a result of Covid-19.
The decision by Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht means that a number of such schools across Donegal will not now go ahead.
There are a number of such schools across Donegal including Glencolmcille, Arranmore Island and Gath Dobhair.
The cancellation will be a major financial blow to many local communities in many Gaeltacht areas of the county.
As well as the actual schools, many local families depend on the spin-off from hosting students.
A statement issued last night by the Department said the health of all concerned must take priorty.
“It is recognised that this is an unusual, uncertain and challenging period and that this decision is a major blow to Gaeltacht areas and to the many thousands of students who had looked forward to attending courses over the summer.
“The health of our communities is the priority, however, and everybody has a role to play in the efforts to stop the spread of Covid-19.”
Some local public representatives have called on the Department to compensate local families who will miss out on hosting students as a result of the cancellation.
The Department has also confirmed that Gaeltacht households will not now be required to submit new engineers certificates this year under the terms of Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge – as had previously been requested – and that the Department will be in contact with the households in question at a later date in relation to this.
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