The former Irish Language Officer of An Clár as Gaeilge claims sending children to Gaeltacht summer courses can help them to understand the importance of the language on a deeper level.

It comes as Conradh na Gaeilge has identifed cost as a significant barrier for some families who wish to send their children to the Gaeltacht, with fees for some courses amounting to over €1,000.

While a state-funded scheme supports just under 1,000 Gaeltacht scholarships each year, the Irish language promotional organisation is calling for "around €10 million" in funding to enable more families to enrol their children in Gaeltacht courses.

Ennis-based Irish language activist Macdara Ó Conaola says going to the Gaeltacht helps children gain a new understanding of their native language.