The number of families hosting students at summer courses in Gaeltacht areas has fallen by almost a third in four years leading to concerns for the future of some Irish colleges.
According to new figures obtained by TG4’s current affairs programme Iniúchadh TG4, in the four years since 2018, the number of host families in the Gaeltacht has fallen from 712 to 495 – a decline of 217 or 30 per cent.
The impact and reasons for the exodus of “bean an tís” from Gaeltacht colleges is examined by investigative reporter Kevin Magee in an hour-long documentary to be broadcast on TG4 on Wednesday, April 19 at 9.30pm.
The increasing age profile of “mná tí”, changing social habits, a move out of the sector into self-catering, and insufficient pay for keeping students are among some of the reasons given.
The fall in host families means thousands of students are being turned away from summer colleges in the Gaeltacht this this year because there is nowhere to house them.
Irish language students dancing on Machaire Rabhartaigh beach.
The number of Irish colleges offering residential summer courses has also fallen. In 2018 there were 52 colleges registered with the Department, but only 40 re-opened in 2022. 46 colleges are offering courses in 2023.
According to the Department two Donegal colleges; Coláiste na Rosann, Anagaire and Coláiste Aodh Mhic Bhricne in Teileann, Co. Donegal have not registered to operate this year.
Other figures released by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media show that the number of students and children attending Irish colleges has fallen by 1,616 since 2019 even though some colleges have been offering shorter courses in an attempt to boost student numbers.
There has been a 19 per cent decline in the number of students in the 12 to 18 age group attending Irish colleges with numbers down from 22,624 to 18,332.
Iniúchadh TG4 – Mná Tí will broadcast on TG4 on Wednesday April 19th at 9:30pm and will be available worldwide on the TG4 Player.
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