Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 October 2020
125. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views in relation to investment being made in Irish language centres in towns and cities here (details supplied); and if she will ensure that the appropriate funding to such centres is included in budget 2021 for Foras na Gaeilge to distribute. [29814/20]
View answer132. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views on whether investment should be made in Irish language centres in towns and cities nationally as has been done in Northern Ireland to give the language a focus in the community; if she will establish a fund to assist these centres to operate as recommended in the investment plan agreed by 80 Irish language and Gaeltacht groups; if the appropriate funding to fund such centres is included in budget 2021 for Foras na Gaeilge to distribute; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29914/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 132 together.
The Programme for Government sets out a specific commitment regarding the development of Irish-language centres. It commits to:
"Promote the development of Irish Language Centres in Dublin and across the country, for a community-based approach to Irish-language promotion."
This commitment builds on those set out in the Government’s Action Plan for the Irish-language 2018-2022 (actions 4.12 and 4.13 specifically) and the National Development Plan 2018-2027 (Project Ireland 2040) in respect of Irish-language centres.
On a practical level, my Department supports the development of Irish-language centres through the Irish-language Support Schemes (Capital Programme), with an allocation of €632,000 for 2020.
The budgets for all Cross Border Bodies, including Foras na Gaeilge, are approved by the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC). This year, my Department will pay € 11,087,184 (75% of the gross budget approved by NSMC) to Foras na Gaeilge. It is intended that NSMC meetings will be held again shortly, at which time the 2017 - 2020 budgets will be approved and all aspects of the work of the Language Body will be discussed.
An indicative allocation for An Foras Teanga/The Languages Body (incorporating Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster Scots Agency) has been included in my Department's Estimate for 2021 and this will be the subject of further discussion with the Department for Communities in the north prior to the Languages Body's final allocation being agreed.
