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Gnáthamharc

Irish Language.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 November 2004

Tuesday, 9 November 2004

Ceisteanna (61)

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

117 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the way in which grants under the language planning initiative were allocated to the five successful applicant groups; the way in which the spending of these grants will be monitored by his Department; when the next tranche of money will be allocated under the initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27964/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The scheme in question initially provided for an annual grant of up to a maximum of €130,000 to community-based Gaeltacht organisations over a three-year period to assist in the preparation and implementation of an Irish language plan within their areas of operation. A total of €1.56 million was provided for this purpose.

Applications received under the scheme were assessed according to the following criteria: the fulfilment of the various conditions outlined in the application procedure; the manner in which the applicant intended to pursue and achieve the objectives of the project; the capacity and suitability of the organisation to carry out the project; the experience and competence of the organisation in the preparation and implementation of an appropriate language plan in the Gaeltacht; the level and appropriateness of the resources available for the project; value for money and overall cost to the Department on an annual basis. A total of three people — two from my own Department and one from Údarás na Gaeltachta — were involved in the evaluation of all applications received.

With regard to monitoring, it is intended that a language manager will be recruited in each case who will be responsible in the first instance to a local steering committee. This committee will include representatives of the local community, representatives of the organisation itself as well as regional officials from my Department and from Údarás na Gaeltachta and will meet on a regular basis to monitor progress. The various steering committees will then report periodically to a high level steering committee, which will include senior representatives of the Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and Údarás na Gaeltachta.

This is a pilot scheme introduced by my Department this year as a result of the recommendations in the report of Coimisiún na Gaeltachta. The provision of further funding will depend on the success of this initiative in meeting the goals set out in the various plans.

Question No. 118 answered with QuestionNo. 90.
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