Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 October 2013
125. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the discussions he has held regarding the ceasing of funding for Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta Teo from the end of December 2013 which provides support and advice to schools in Gaeltacht regions; and his plans to address the situation. [42189/13]
View answerEagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta (ESG) was established in 1987 as an umbrella group to represent the interests of primary and post-primary Gaeltacht schools and to provide advice and support to them. My Department has been in constant contact with the organisation since its establishment. As a result of discussions with my Department, ESG was restructured in 2007 and my Department has sanctioned over €780,000 in grant aid to the organisation since then. Towards the end of 2011, my Department became aware that discussions were ongoing between ESG and Gaelscoileanna with regard to amalgamating the two organisations. The funding that my Department sanctioned for ESG in 2012 and 2013 was conditional on this amalgamation taking place. My understanding of the current position is that the amalgamation has not as yet occurred and that ESG is considering disbanding the organisation.
In the current economic climate, it is more essential than ever to achieve efficiencies from Exchequer funding. In this context, it is worth noting the decision of the North South Ministerial Council on 10 July when it approved the new funding arrangements, to replace Foras na Gaeilge's existing core funding model, with the delivery by 6 lead organisations operating on an all-island basis of various strategic priorities, including Irish-medium education. It is envisaged that the lead organisation which will deliver this strategic priority will serve all Irish-medium schools, both inside and outside the Gaeltacht. Any organisation may apply under Foras na Gaeilge's selection procedures which are to be published in due course.
