My Department’s remit, insofar as the Gaeltacht is concerned, is to support and promote the Irish language as its primary household and community language. The Department discharges this remit in the context of the language planning process, as set out under the Gaeltacht Act, which represents a key component in support of the overarching implementation of the Government’s 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030.
In support of this objective my Department directly implements a range of measures, programmes, schemes and initiatives directed at supporting the Irish language as a vibrant community and household language in Gaeltacht regions. The Department also supports a range of Gaeltacht-based organisations engaged in language support activities, all of which positively impact on Gaeltacht communities.
In addition to direct funding within Gaeltacht communities, the Department funds and works closely with Údarás na Gaeltachta as the regional development agency for the Gaeltacht which is tasked inter alia with supporting and developing industry and enterprise in Gaeltacht regions as well as with the implementation of a number of schemes aimed specifically at reducing the impact of social exclusion. These schemes include the Leader Programme, the Community Enterprise Scheme, the Rural Social Scheme and the Scheme of Grants to Community Development Groups. Further details regarding the implementation and funding of these schemes are available in the organisation's Annual Report and Accounts at www.udaras.ie
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Notwithstanding the fact that the issues raised by the Deputy in his question are not uniquely confined to Gaeltacht regions and that they do not form part of my Department’s direct area of responsibility, it is my view that an indirect impact of my Department's operations and those of Údarás na Gaeltachta can have a positive impact in relation to the issues of loneliness and social isolation in Gaeltacht regions.
