IRISH language summer courses in the Donegal Gaeltacht have been cancelled for a second year due to coronavirus restrictions.
Irish government junior minister Jack Chambers said the decision to was taken after consultation with olleges throughout Ireland and the Gaeltacht “Mná Títhe”.
Generations of northern teenagers have attended language courses in Donegal where they live with Irish-speaking families.
Each year thousands of pupils spend between two and three weeks in the west Donegal Gaeltacht which is, for many, looked on almost as a rite of passage.
The courses are also hugely important to the economy of west Donegal and often provide the main source of income for families hosting the students.
Mr Chambers said the government was conscious of the impact of the decision to cancel courses on the Gaeltacht economy.
“We will evaluate the impact of this development on the sector with a view to progressing an appropriate stabilisation package,” the minister said.
Mr Chambers added that he was confident that a solution could be reached which would allow the courses to go ahead next year.
