551. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the total number of children for whom payments under the Irish speakers scheme were made each year for the last ten years of its existence. [46650/26]

Scéim Labhairt na Gaeilge (Irish Language Speaking Scheme) was one of the Gaeltacht schemes that was previously administered by my Department. The aim of the Scheme was to encourage people living in Gaeltacht areas to speak Irish at home and in the community in general.

Scéim Labhairt na Gaeilge was established in 1935 and, by the time the scheme ended in 2011, a grant of €260 per school year was paid to Irish-speaking families in the Gaeltacht.

Below is a table showing the number of households who received payments under Scéim Labhairt na Gaeilge in the Gaeltacht between the years 2001 and 2011 which was the last ten years of its existence.