Erasmus na Gaeilge

A scheme similar to the European Erasmus exchange programme has been announced which will see up to 175 third level students spend a semester studying Irish while living in the heart of the Gaeltacht.

The new language immersion scheme was announced at Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge in Carna, Co Galway, by Minister of State for the Irish language, the Gaeltacht and the Islands, Seán Kyne.

The scheme, which is valued at €250,000, will see students from participating universities and institutes of education travel to the Gaeltacht each year to spend three months living with families while attending an approved third level course for the duration of the semester.

To avail of the new scheme, students will have to apply through their own third level institution. They must be enrolled on a course that has Irish as a core subject or must be studying a subject that would require a high level of proficiency.