From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
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Jack Chambers, Government Chief Whip and Minister for the Gaeltacht and Sport, announced today that he has approved a grant of up to €37,218 for Connacht GAA Council to enable them to expand the Gaelic Games Programme to schools in the Mayo Gaeltacht. A total of 15 schools involved in the implementation of the policy for Gaeltacht education in North and West Mayo will be able to benefit from the programme.
Minister of State Chambers said:
“I am delighted that this programme is being extended to Gaeltacht schools in North and West Mayo. Through this programme and other programmes administered by the department, additional language acquisition and enrichment opportunities are provided outside of the normal curriculum for attendees of eligible primary and post-primary schools throughout the Gaeltacht. I hope that the expansion of the programme to the North and West Mayo Gaeltacht will further support the schools in their efforts to promote the Irish language and also support the language planning process that is underway in both areas with the continued assistance of my department.”
Subject to the arrangement in place with Connacht Council and Munster Council, Connacht Council will bear the remaining 33% of the total cost of the programme. Schools in the Tuar Mhic Éadaigh area are already recognised under the department's arrangement with Connacht Council in the Galway Gaeltacht. Under the programme, instructors operating under the auspices of both Councils visit participating schools to provide football and hurling sessions - administered through Irish, to attendees of the schools concerned.
This grant is in line with the commitment given to the Community and Language Supports Programme under action 2.20 of the 2018-2022 Government Action Plan for the Irish language, which was launched in June 2018.
This specific funding builds on the programme already administered by Munster Council and Connacht Council in eligible schools in the Galway, Kerry, Cork and Waterford Gaeltachts.
Since 2010, the department has invested c. €1.5 million in the programme which is administered in 69 primary and 20 post-primary schools in the Gaeltacht.
Funding from the department and the two GAA Councils creates two full-time and 12 part-time posts.
The following are details of the schools that will be able to benefit from the programme.
| Primary School | Number of Children | 2021/22 Children participating | 2022/23 | 2023/2024 | Number of Hours | ||||||
| Eachléim | 42 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 1 hour per week | ||||||
| Corr Chloch | 81 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 1 hour per week | ||||||
| Poll a tSomais | 27 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 1 hour per week | ||||||
| Ros Dumhach | 16 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 1 hour per week | ||||||
| Gleann na Muaigh | 18 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 1 hour per week | ||||||
| Ceathrú Thaidhg | 27 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 1 hour per week | ||||||
| Dumha Thuama | 32 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 1 hour per week | ||||||
| Bun a Choire | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 1 hour per week | ||||||
| Sáile | 43 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 1 hour per week | ||||||
| Tóin Ré Gaoth | 50 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 1 hour per week | ||||||
| Total | 0 | 162 | 162 | 162 | 0 |
| Post-Primary School | 2021/22 | 2022/23 | 2022/24 | Number of Hours | |||||||
| Meanscoil Mhuire | 215 | 54 | 107 | 161 | 1 hour 15 mins per week | ||||||
| Coláiste Bhreandain | 377 | 76 | 151 | 227 | 1 hour 15 mins per week | ||||||
| Coláiste Chomáin | 41 | 12 | 24 | 35 | 1 hour 15 mins per week | ||||||
| Coláiste Phobail Acla | 247 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 1 hour 15 mins per week | ||||||
| Total | - | 191 | 332 | 473 | - |