Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 October 2019
656. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if schools in the Gaeltacht were notified of the clár na gcluichí gaelach scheme or the way in which to apply; the way in which the schools were chosen for funding under this scheme; the reason no schools in the Gaeltacht areas on the east side of Galway city were chosen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43008/19]
View answerThe objective of Clár na gCluichí Gaelacha is to further support participating Gaeltacht schools in providing language acquisition and enrichment opportunities to school pupils. The measure is one of a suite of actions being currently implemented by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in support of the language planning process and the Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022, the implementation of which is being spearheaded by the Department of Education and Skills.
Since 2005, GAA's Connacht Council, who contribute 33% of the overall cost of the programme, have administered the programme in the Galway Gaeltacht region. Schools participating in the Gaeltacht Education Scheme and wishing to avail of the programme in the Galway region should contact the Connacht Council in relation to possible participation.
While the schools participating in the scheme have remained broadly the same since its establishment, my Department, on an ongoing basis, seeks ways to further develop existing programmes using available resources in the overall context of further underpinning the language as a vibrant community and family language in Gaeltacht regions.
It is in that overall context that my Department will continue to seek to further develop Clár na gCluchí Gaelacha in partnership with the Connacht Council.
