The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, has approved €471,500 for the Fulbright Commission to support the teaching of Irish in universities across the United States during the 2025–2026 academic year. The allocation will maintain the Commission's Irish language programme in the US, which the Department has funded since 2006.

The support enables hundreds of students each year at US institutions to learn Irish and take part in Irish language events. Through the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) scheme, teachers from Ireland deliver classes and help build Irish language communities on campus, with some American students also attending the Gaeltacht on scholarships. Announcing the funding, Minister Calleary said: "The work of the Fulbright Commission in fostering educational and cultural exchange between Ireland and the United States is invaluable. Under this scheme, Irish Language Teaching Assistants (FLTAs) are given opportunities to teach Irish at universities across the United States, significantly raising the international profile of the language. This is in line with the Department's mission to promote the use of the Irish language, both at home and abroad. By nurturing a new generation of Irish language learners, FLTAs contribute to the vitality and growth of the language on a global scale."

The FLTA programme also provides important professional development, allowing teachers to refine their methodologies and return to Ireland with enhanced skills. This strengthens education in the Gaeltacht, fosters lasting links with host institutions and students, and expands the global network for the Irish language.

Welcoming the announcement, Fulbright Ireland Director, Dr Dara FitzGerald, said: "I am extremely proud that the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht has approved funding of €471,500 to enable us to continue our Irish Language Teaching Programme in the United States in 2026. This funding will not only support students in America and Irish language teachers, it will also ensure that the Irish language thrives in academic institutions across the US. By establishing a strong foundation for the teaching of Irish in American universities, we are preserving and promoting our linguistic heritage for future generations."

According to the Commission's report on the 2024/25 academic year, 8 FLTAs taught and studied at 7 US institutions; 913 students enrolled in Irish language courses and 436 sat exams; 19,804 hours of Irish were taught; and 24 students attended Gaeltacht scholarships in Ireland.