Minister opens Líofa Gaeltacht Bursary Scheme

Date published: 10 February 2022

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has today announced the 2022 Líofa Gaeltacht Bursary Scheme is now open for applications.

Minister opens Líofa Gaeltacht Bursary Scheme
Minister opens Líofa Gaeltacht Bursary Scheme

In addition to the 100 bursaries available, 70 successful applicants from 2020 who have been unable to attend a Gaeltacht course due to Covid-19 restrictions will also attend in 2022 bringing the total investment this year to £85,000.

Minister Hargey said:

“I am delighted to announce that the Líofa Gaeltacht Bursary Scheme is now open for applications. This is the first programme since the start of the Covid pandemic meaning successful applicants can not only get back to learning the Irish language but also take part in various cultural activities such as sport and music.

“It also provides the opportunity to make new connections and friendships with like-minded people wishing to develop their use of the language.

“This scheme has already helped over 750 adults and young people to immerse themselves in an Irish speaking community and build their fluency in the language.”

The Gaeltacht provides attendees with an opportunity to immerse themselves in an Irish speaking community, increase their knowledge and use of Irish through attending classes whilst taking part in a wide range of cultural activities including sport and music through the medium of Irish.

The Gaeltacht Bursary Scheme is open to students whose parents are in receipt of a means-tested benefit, or adult learners in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits. As demand for the bursary - which averages at a cost of £500 per student and includes accommodation and tuition - is very high, preference is given to those adults or students who have not previously received a bursary and who meet the criteria set out in the application form.

Applications can be made online via liofa.eu or by contacting Liofa directly on 028 9051 5114.

The scheme will close on the 4 March 2022 and successful applicants will be notified by the end of March 2022.

Osclaíonn an tAire an Scéim Sparánachtaí Gaeltachta Líofa

Inniu d’fhógair an tAire Pobal Deirdre Hargey go bhfuil an Scéim Sparánachtaí Gaeltachta Líofa 2022 oscailte anois le haghaidh iarratas.

I dteannta na 100 sparánacht atá ar fáil, 70 iarratasóir rathúla ó 2020 nach raibh ábalta freastal ar chúrsa Gaeltachta mar gheall ar shrianta Covid-19, beidh siad ábalta freastal in 2022, rud a fhágann gurb í £85,000 an infheistíocht iomlán i mbliana.

Is éard a dúirt an tAire Hargey

“Tá lúcháir orm a fhógairt go bhfuil an Scéim Sparánachtaí Gaeltachta Líofa oscailte anois le haghaidh iarratas. Seo é an chéad chlár ó thús na paindéime, rud a fhágann go mbeidh iarratasóirí rathúla ábalta Gaeilge a fhoghlaim arís agus ní hamháin sin beidh siad ábalta a bheith páirteach in imeachtaí cultúrtha éagsúla, leithéidi spóirt agus ceoil.

“Leis an scéim tá deis ann ceangail agus cairdis nua a dhéanamh le daoine a bhfuil an dearcadh céanna acu agus atá ag iarraidh a n-úsáid féin den teanga a fhorbairt.

“Bhí an scéim seo ina cuidiú cheana le breis is 750 duine fásta agus duine óga iad féin a thumadh i bpobal Gaeltachta agus cur lena líofacht sa teanga.”

Sa Ghaeltacht tá deis ar fáil do dhaoine atá ag freastal iad féin a thumadh i bpobal Gaeltachta, cur lena gcuid eolais agus lena n-úsáid i dtaca leis an teanga ach freastal ar ranganna agus a bheith rannpháirteach i réimse leathan d’imeachtaí cultúrtha lena n-áirítear spórt agus ceol trí mheán na Gaeilge.

Tá an Scéim Sparánachtaí Gaeltachta oscailte anois do mhic léinn a bhfuil a dtuismitheoirí ag fáil sochar de réir tástála acmhainne, nó daoine fásta atá ag foghlaim agus atá ag fáil ceann de na sochair cháilitheacha. Toisc go bhfuil an-tóir ar an sparánacht – £500 an duine ar an mheán agus folaíonn sé lóistín agus teagasc – tugtar tús áite do na daoine fásta nó na mic léinn siúd nach bhfuair sparánacht roimhe agus a chomhlíonann na critéir atá leagtha amach san fhoirm iarratais.

Is féidir iarratais a chur isteach ar líne ar liofa.eu nó ach teagmháil a dhéanamh go díreach le Líofa ar 028 9051 5114.

Druidfidh an scéim ar an 4 Márta 2022 agus cuirfear iarratasóirí rathúla ar an eolas faoi dheireadh mhí an Mhárta 2022.

Notes to editors: 

  1. Caption 1: Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey is pictured with Acting Principal Ashling Nic Giolla Bhéin on a visit to Scoil an Droichid to officially open the 2022 Líofa Gaeltacht Bursary Scheme. The Minister had the opportunity to meet with teachers and children from the school which provides both nursery and primary provision.
  2. Caption 2: Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey is pictured with pupils from Scoil an Droichid on a visit to open the 2022 Líofa Gaeltacht Bursary Scheme.
  3. The Líofa Gaeltacht Bursary Scheme was launched in 2012
  4. Since the scheme was launched 756 bursaries have been awarded.
  5. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the bursary scheme was cancelled in 2020 and 2021.
  6. Press enquiries to DfC Press Office 
  7. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The Duty Press Officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
  8. Follow us on twitter @CommunitiesNI
  1. Seo pictiúr den Aire Pobal Deirdre Hargey leis an Phríomhoide Ghníomhach Ashling Nic Giolla Bhéin ar cuairt ar Scoil an Droichid chun Scéim Sparánachta Gaeltachta Líofa 2022 a oscailt go hoifigiúil. Bhí deis ag an Aire bualadh le múinteoirí agus le páistí ón scoil a chuireann soláthar naiscoile agus bunscoile araon ar fáil.
  2. Seo pictiúr den Aire Pobal Deirdre Hargey le daltaí ón Scoil an Droichid ar cuairt chun Scéim Sparánachtaí Gaeltachta Líofa 2022 a oscailt.
  3. Bunaíodh an Scéim Sparánachtaí Gaeltachta Líofa in 2012
  4. Ó bunaíodh an scéim bronnadh 756 sparánacht.
  5. De bharr shrianta Covid-19, cuireadh an scéim sparánachtaí ar ceal in 2020 agus in 2021.
  6. Cuir fiosruithe ón phreas chuig DfC Press Office 
  7. Tá Seirbhís taobh amuigh d’uaireanta gnó i bhfeidhm ag Seirbhís Faisnéise an Fheidhmeannais le haghaidh fiosruithe ó na meáin amháin idir 1800 agus 0800 Luan go hAoine agus ag an deireadh seachtaine agus ar laethanta saoire poiblí. Is féidir teagmháil a dhéanamh leis an Phreasoifigeach ar dualgas ar 028 90378110.
  8. Lean muid ar twitter @CommunitiesNI

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