Families who host students in Irish colleges must be compensated – Councillor

A Donegal county councillor has called on the Government to support people who have taken students into Irish colleges.

It now appears that Gaeltacht summer courses will become the latest victim of the Covid-19 crisis.

Independent councillor Micheal Mac Giolla Easbuig said that the revenue lost to local families will leave them with a serious financial outlay to make up.

He said “Unfortunately, it looks like the Gaeltacht summer courses will not be going ahead this year in the Donegal Gaeltacht or in any other of the Gaeltacht areas.

“It is very important that the Mná Tí and families that keep the Gaeltacht students are given proper support by the state while their income is being taken away.”

He called on the Government to put a scheme in place to compensate families who have hosted students for many years.

He added “If the government can support big business and prop up capitalism, it can support the Gaeltacht too. I will continue to push the government to provide this support.”