Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 October 2017
261. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on establishing an annual fund that various communities can draw upon to set up Irish language communities that would especially benefit the south; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42972/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra262. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on increasing the number of Irish language community schemes available to local community committees in order to develop Irish in their own local areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42973/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 261 and 262 together.
The Deputy may be aware that the language planning process, as set out in Acht na Gaeltachta 2012, has, at its heart, the key principle of affording communities in Gaeltacht areas, Gaeltacht Service Towns and in Irish language networks, the opportunity to develop and implement language plans at local level which seek to underpin the development of the language as a community and household language within such communities. In order to underpin the successful implementation of the process which began in 2014, ongoing financial and technical support is being provided by my Department, Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge where applicable, to assist communities to develop and implement agreed plans at community level within the process.
In order to further support the process and advance the overall implementation of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030, my Department, Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge also administer a wide range of supports, schemes, initiatives and measures which seek to further support the development of the language at community level and advance the overall objectives of the strategy.
My Department's Irish Language Support Schemes have as their objective the provision of financial assistance to a range of organisations and activities that support the promotion of the Irish language outside the Gaeltacht. Organisations that receive annual funding include Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe, Gaillimh le Gaeilge, Gnó Mhaigh Eo and Gael Taca, Cork. These schemes also provide funding for small-scale capital projects, associated with the promotion of the Irish language outside the Gaeltacht. Most recently, funding was provided to Gaelphobal Thamhlachta for the development of an Irish Language and Cultural Centre in Tallaght, County Dublin.
Under its legislative mandate to promote the Irish language on an all-island basis, Foras na Gaeilge also funds the Irish Language Community Scheme, Scéim Pobal Gaeilge 2016-2020. This four-year scheme, with a total budget of c. €4 million, comprises a network of community-based Irish language development officers with facilitation and networking duties in order to empower communities and lead to sustainable language development within the communities themselves.
Support for the Irish language and the Gaeltacht will remain as key priorities in 2018. In that regard, additional funding of €2.5 million that was announced in Budget 2018 will focus on further assisting the delivery of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030.
