Concern at standard of Gaeltacht courses

Future primary teachers have called for better checks on standards of residential Irish language courses they must spend thousands of euro to attend.

The Government withdrew a fees subsidy for Gaeltacht placements of hundreds of student teachers per year in 2012, saving close to €900,000 annually.

Students have raised concerns in recent weeks, backed by the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation, about having to pay €1,500. The fee for two fortnight -long placements is in addition to college fees of €2,750 for those who do not get a student grant.