Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2023
351. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department will support the funding of Irish-language programmes within the GAA, given that the Irish language is to be promoted by the State and the GAA. [29647/23]
View answerMy Department directly funds several initiatives to support the use and learning of Irish within the GAA and recognises the strong connection between the GAA and the Irish language. Below is a list of relevant programmes funded by my Department:
- Fondúireacht Sheosaimh Mhic Dhonncha: Fondúireacht Sheosaimh Mhic Dhonncha is a scheme administered by the GAA and Glór na nGael, and funded by my Department since 2019, to support clubs all over the island to actively promote and use the Irish language. This support includes grants for Irish language events in clubs and an awards scheme to recognise the achievements of clubs for their work in promoting the Irish language. In 2022, 55 clubs were recognised for their efforts, and this demonstrates the excellent work of the GAA community in support of the language, with the assistance of my Department. It is expected that as many as 200 clubs will take part in the scheme in the coming years.
- Na Gaeil Óga: My Department has provided funding to the Irish-medium GAA Club, Na Gaeil Óga, in Dublin since 2021 to support them in implementing a games development and community participation plan. These initiatives support children and parents to learn and use Irish through the club, and also provide GAA coaching through Irish to several gaelscoileanna in the area. Na Gaeil Óga has grown significantly since in foundation in 2010 to a club with approximately thirty teams this year.
- Ciste Spreagtha Chonradh na Gaeilge: This support fund, administered by Conradh na Gaeilge, aims to encourage community groups inside and outside the Gaeltacht to organise Irish Language community events. This year, I approved a significant grant of €200,000 to support this programme, with 27 GAA clubs in 16 counties benefiting from this funding, particularly during Seachtain na Gaeilge.
- Clár na gCluichí Gaelacha: Clár na gCluichí Gaelacha is a programme administered by my Department in collaboration with the GAA’s Connacht Council since 2005 in the Galway and South Mayo (Tuar Mhic Éadaigh) Gaeltacht areas. In 2012 the scheme was extended to the Munster Gaeltacht and to the wider Mayo Gaeltacht in 2021. The objective of Clár na gCluichí Gaelacha is to further support participating Gaeltacht schools in providing language acquisition and enrichment opportunities to pupils. The measure is one of a suite of actions implemented by my Department in support of the language planning process and the Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022.
Under the arrangements in place with the Connacht and Munster Councils, the Councils respectively bear the remaining 33% of the total cost of the programme. Coaches operating under the stewardship of both Councils respectively visit schools participating in the Scheme for Gaeltacht Education to provide football, hurling and handball sessions through the medium of Irish.
It is estimated that up to 87 schools will benefit from the programme over the next three years. Discussions are also underway with the GAA to provide this programme in Ulster.
The following funding has been approved under the scheme:
Connacht GAA Council
• Funding up to le €382,216 for the school years 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25
• Munster GAA Council
• Funding up to €132,273 for the school years 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25
