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Seán Kyne T.D., Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs, today announced that he has sanctioned a grant of up to €502,500 for Lárionad na Gaeilge, Maynooth University.

The €382,500 of the grant sanctioned today relates to the design of Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge (TEG) and the training of examiners for the academic period 2016/17-2018-19. The TEG exam is available nationally and internationally. In addition, the Minister of State has sanctioned €120,000 for the same period to enable the University to appoint an Administrative Officer to deal with the increase in applicants undertaking the TEG exam.

Announcing the grant, Minister of State Kyne said:
“I am very pleased that my Department has been in a position to provide Lárionad na Gaeilge in Maynooth University with a grant since 2008. Lárionad na Gaeilge are doing excellent work in providing a phased syllabus for the learning and teaching of Irish in alignment with the Common European Framework of Reference. I understand that TEG is now being taught in various centres around Ireland, as well as in Paris, New York, Ottawa, Sydney and Prague. In addition, exams are arranged for secondary school students and for the Public Appointments Service. I believe that up to 600 applicants sat the TEG exam last year and that it is now necessary to create a Development Officer post as a result.

“The training provided by Lárionad na Gaeilge is extremely important, particularly in light of the end to the Irish-language derogation in the Europen Union in the coming years. There will be excellent opportunities for a rewarding international career and the TEG courses will help to increase the number of people with the appropriate skills to fulfil the requirements.”

This funding is being provided under the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030.