Gaeltacht Summer Colleges
Gaeltacht Summer Colleges
Conradh na Gaeilge believes the Gaeltacht Summer Colleges are hugely important to the growth of the Irish language and indeed to the growth of Gaeltacht regions, towns and villages. We are very aware, however, that the entire Gaeltacht Summer College sector is under increasing pressure, a quickly evolving situation following the Covid Pandemic, which is heading towards a crisis. More and more colleges are experiences huge challenges in (re-)opening their doors, in recruiting new houses (Mná agus fir an tí) and in organising the courses with small, voluntary committees.
In 2013 rinne the Centre for Languages in OÉ Má Nuad undertook a comprehensive research report on behalf of COGG regarding the Summer Colleges. That research can be read in full here: https://www.cogg.ie/wp-content/uploads/tionchar-na-gcolaisti-gaeilge-ar-an-teanga-agus-ar-phobal-na-gaeltachta-samhain-2013.pdf
In September 2021 Coiste na Gaeilge, na Gaeltachta agus Phobal Labhartha na Gaeilge published a report on the current state of the Colleges and the support they need going forward: Todhchaí na gColáistí Samhraidh Gaeilge agus an Tacaíocht atá á hiarraidh ina Leith (Meán Fómhair 2021). This report can be accessed here: https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/committee/dail/33/comhchoiste_na_gaeilge_na_gaeltachta_agus_phobal_labhartha_na_gaeilge/submissions/2021/2021-09-27_tuarascail-ar-thodhchai-na-gcolaisti-samhraidh-gaeilge-agus-an-tacaiocht-ata-a-hiarraidh-ina-leith_en.pdf
A Working Group must be formed immediately and be made up of all the stakeholders involved with the Summer Colleges, including: The Department of Education, the Association of Gaeltacht Cooperatives, CONCOS, Conradh na Gaeilge, Representatives from the Gaeltacht Planning Committees, Business representatives, Department of the Gaeltacht and Údarás na Gaeltachta.
Issues that need to be addressed by the working group include:
- Research to identify short-term (2022), medium-term (2023-2025) and long-term (2026-2032) problems / challenges;
- The preparation of interim recommendations for summer 2022 and recommendations from 2023 to 2032 onwards arising from the research;
- Examine the steps required to retain families in the sector and attract new families. This must include clear information about the supports available to such families, especially for new families looking to start accepting students;
- The support required for small Colleges to enable them to continue to run those Colleges;
- Identify further developments for the sector, for example, that all post - primary students will have the opportunity to attend a Summer College at least once in their lifetime.
- The opportunity to organise additional courses throughout the year;
- The opportunity to organise courses for groups other than post - primary students, such as Irish language skills development courses for people in the state system;
- If these issues are not addressed now it is clear that the Summer College sector is in serious danger.
All details of all the Summer Colleges welcoming students can be accessed online via CONCOS: https://www.colaistigaeilge.ie/