Traveller caravans and Gaelcholáistí teachers
Deputy Ó Cuív called for more replacement caravans for Travellers facing freezing conditions, while Deputy Ó Cathasaigh asked about recruiting teachers for Irish-medium schools, especially in practical subjects. The Taoiseach said he would urgently raise the caravan limit issue with the Housing Minister and agreed that more support is needed for Gaelcholáistí to recruit teachers through Irish.
There are two final contributors, Deputies Ó Cuív and Ó Cathasaigh, who I will take together.
Comment on this
The temperature is forecast to fall to -4°C. Many Travellers are living in freezing caravans or mobile homes, some of which are more than 20 years old. The national caravan scheme was recently extended nationally, but a limit of 75 caravans was put on it. In the case of Galway, we need 24 replacement caravans but we were allocated four. As we come up to Christmas, it is a disgrace that people are sleeping in terrible, freezing conditions. I beg the Taoiseach to ensure that each person who needs a replacement caravan is given a loan under the caravan loan scheme to replace it and to do so between now and Christmas. There can be no delay on this. It is inhumane and degrading.
Comment on this
The issue of teacher shortages was well aired this morning but there is a specific concern about teacher shortages in Irish-medium schools. In the Gaelcholáistí, it is proving extremely challenging to get teachers who can take subjects like woodwork and metalwork - home economics is a particular problem - trí mheán na Gaeilge. Do we have a specific plan to help our Gaelcholáistí to recruit people?
Comment on this
I will follow up on Deputy Ó Cuív's point quickly and discuss it with the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien. I take the point that 75 caravans seems like a low limit if it means only four caravans going to Galway. I will engage urgently with the Minister in respect of that. I will talk to Deputy Ó Cuív subsequently to get the details on that.
Aontaím leis an Teachta Ó Cathasaigh. Caithfimid gach aon iarracht a dhéanamh chun níos mó áiseanna a thabhairt do na scoileanna ionas go mbeidh siad in ann múinteoireacht trí Ghaelainn a fháil, go háirithe sna hábhair atá luaite ag an Teachta. Tá scéimeanna faoi leith ag an Aire agus an Roinn. Beidh mé ag caint leis an Aire le feiceáil an féidir linn níos mó a dhéanamh.