It's a rite of passage for Irish teenagers, but what's the Gaeltacht without a bean an tí?
It's the time of year where buses full of secondary schoolers are shipped off to the various Gaeltacht regions of the country, hopeful about expanding on their cúpla focal and more importantly, getting the shift at the céilí.
But the Irish College experience could be impacted for some in the coming years, as the number of mná tí is in steady decline.
Speaking to the
Irish Times, manager of Coláiste Pobail Chléire in Co Cork Kevin McCann commented on the decrease, and how it's impacting Gaeltacht communities.
“At the start there would have been eight, nine mná tí and two colleges. Now there is just one college and one bean an tí... Naturally, there has been a knock-on effect to the local economy."
Kevin has suggested that the workload required of a bean an tí has increased, and the financial incentive isn't matching it. The initial start up costs required for becoming a bean an tí are also a factor.
Students at Coláiste Ó Direáin on Inis Mór, via odireain.com.
A Bean an Tí usually accommodates between 8 and 16 students at a time during the summer months and must ensure their safety and well-being as well as providing meals. Menu plans are usually agreed with the Irish College to ensure variety and a wholesome diet for students. Special dietary requirements must also be catered for. Mná tí are also required to have their homes up to a certain standard, subject to inspection by the Irish College.
The Government has increased the first-time
bean an tí grant from €2,000 to €6,000 as an extra incentive, and a bean an tí receives €12 per student a night from the Government (increased from €10 to €12 last Autumn) on top of a contribution from her respective college, which on average is about €15 per student.
Header image via cnag.ie
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