Minister for the Gaeltacht Éamon Ó Cuív says the impact of television station TG4 may have contributed to a record number of people opting to learn Irish during 2006.
More than 25,000 students attended courses approved under his department's Irish language learners' scheme during 2006, according to Mr Ó Cuív. More than 1,000 of these were adult students, while the majority were young students aged over 10 years attending summer colleges.
This represented a 50 per cent increase on student numbers during the 1970s and 1980s, he said. He believed one of the major reasons for this was the influence of TG4 which was established by former arts minister Michael D Higgins just over a decade ago.
The Irish language learners' scheme is run in 42 Irish summer colleges throughout the State.
Gaeltacht households accommodate students attending courses, and "mná tí" are paid grants under the system. Mr Ó Cuív said it would appear that bookings would also be up next year.
"Thousands of students who have gone through the coláistí samhraidh system over the years have been enriched by the experience and most retain not only a knowledge of the language, but also a fondness for both Gaeilge and the Gaeltacht for the rest of their lives," he said.
