Several Gaeltacht residential courses for secondary school pupils have been cancelled for the third year in a row because of Covid-19.
Coláiste na bhFiann, which runs courses in the Connemara, Meath and Donegal Gaeltachtaí, said the rise in Covid-19 numbers have left them with no choice but to cancel again.
Coláiste na bhFiann príomh fheidhmeannach (chief executive) Caitríona Ní Cheallaigh has written an email to parents stating there are are “far too many variables out of our control, which we feel would make it impossible to run courses successfully this summer”.
It followed a risk assessment to guarantee that sufficient staff would be on hand to ensure a high standard in the courses.
The decision was also made in consultation with host families in the Rosmuc, Ráth Chairn, Gaoth Dobhair and Droim Rí areas.
“We are very disappointed to have to make this decision again, but the health and safety of our students and staff and the standard of our courses, must be our primary considerations in any decision we make,” she wrote to parents.
Parents pay between €750 for a two-week course to €1,000 for a three-week course for their children to attend Coláiste na bhFiann Gaeltachtaí.
Coláiste na bhFiann has been hosting families in the Gaeltacht for 46 years with the exception of the last two years because of Covid-19.
It aims for total immersion in the Irish language and has courses which cater for various abilities.
Those who paid deposits will now have them fully refunded.
