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Irish Language

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 October 2020

Thursday, 1 October 2020

Questions (51)

Martin Browne

Question:

51. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht if consideration will be given to restoring pre-recession funding to the development scheme for Irish run by an organisation (details supplied); if her attention has been drawn to the fact that funding for an officer to run the scheme was cut from five days per week to four when the economic crisis hit; her views on the valued contribution the organisation at its branch in Nenagh, County Tipperary, makes towards the use and promotion of the Irish language; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27361/20]

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Written answers

In 2005, Foras na Gaeilge introduced Scéim Pobal Gaeilge (SPG) - the Irish Language Community Scheme - offering local voluntary community committees the opportunity to apply for financial assistance towards the costs of implementing a three year business plan for the development and enhancement of the Irish language among their respective target areas and groups.

SPG was revised 2016 and, while the number of funded groups increased, budgetary constraints only allowed funding to be made available on a four-day per week basis.

In October 2019, Foras na Gaeilge submitted a discussion paper to my Department and to the Department for Communities in the North. This outlined a proposed revision of the existing scheme, seeking to align the scheme with the Government’s language planning approach - in line with the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language.

The paper, which was based on consultation with relevant stakeholders, also recommended that the funding to groups be increased to cover salary and associated costs on a five-day basis. 

It is now proposed that a new scheme be developed focusing on the principles of language planning, and that a primary objective of this revised scheme should be to support government policies - those set out in the Gaeltacht Act 2012, in respect of Irish language networks and Gaeltacht service towns, and in the north as outlined in the Draft Strategy to Enhance and Protect the Development of the Irish Language.

The new scheme is currently being finalised by Foras na Gaeilge in conjunction with my Department and the Department for Communities in the North.  Subject to the completion of this process, it will be advertised publicly before the end of 2020 and will come into operation in July 2021.

The group referenced by the Deputy has received funding through the present scheme for the past nine years and has done tremendous work in promoting and developing the Irish Language in its area.  It will, of course, be eligible to apply for the new scheme when advertised.

Question No. 52 answered with Question No. 45.
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