Tusla Fostering launches €175,000 national Gaeltacht sponsorship scheme for young people in foster care
Tús Maith, Todhchaí Ghael |
|---|
Young people in foster care across Ireland will have the opportunity to experience the educational, cultural and social benefits of the Gaeltacht through a new €175,000 national sponsorship scheme launched today by Tusla Fostering.
The new initiative has been developed to ensure that financial circumstances are not a barrier to attending a recognised Gaeltacht summer course, giving young people in foster care the same opportunities as their peers to immerse themselves in the Irish language, build confidence, develop independence and create lasting memories.
The scheme is open to young people currently living in foster care who are entering or attending first to fifth year of secondary school and studying Irish as a school subject.
Tusla Fostering will award 24 scholarships nationally, with four places available in each of its six regions. Each sponsorship will cover the full cost of a recognised Gaeltacht course up to a maximum value of €1,290, together with a €100 discretionary allowance to help with travel, toiletries, pocket money and other essential expenses.
Successful applicants will also take part in pre-course preparation sessions developed by Tusla’s Irish Language Development Officer to help them feel confident and ready before attending their course.
The scheme represents an investment of €175,000 and reflects Tusla’s commitment to ensuring that children and young people in foster care have access to the same educational and developmental opportunities as their peers.
Tusla CEO Kate Duggan commented: “Attending the Gaeltacht is a rite of passage - one of those experiences that many people remember for the rest of their lives. We want young people in foster care to have the same opportunity to immerse themselves in our language and culture, to challenge themselves and to make lifelong friendships. This sponsorship scheme is about opening doors, creating opportunities and ensuring that no young person misses out because of financial circumstances”.
Attending the Gaeltacht provides young people with a unique opportunity to develop their Irish through full language immersion while participating in a wide range of sporting, cultural and recreational activities. The experience also encourages resilience, independence and lifelong engagement with Ireland’s language and cultural heritage.
Applications for the sponsorship scheme have been distributed to area managers and are now open until at 5pm on Friday 21 August. Successful candidates will be notified on 26 August.
Where applications exceed the number of places available, sponsorships will be allocated through a random lottery of eligible applicants within each region. Sponsorships may be renewed for up to three years, subject to annual confirmation of eligibility and continued interest. Young people who are unsuccessful this year are encouraged to apply again in future years.
Tusla is encouraging foster carers, social workers and fostering teams across the country to support eligible young people in applying for this exciting opportunity.