Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 October 2020
141. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht her vision for the promotion of the Irish language in all areas throughout the country in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28057/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government acknowledges the importance of the Irish language as the first language of the State, as a living language and as a vital component of the heritage of this island.
My Department has overall responsibility for co-ordinating the implementation of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030, which represents the cornerstone of the Government’s policy on the Irish language. In 2018, the Department published the 5-Year Action Plan 2018-2022 for the implementation of the Strategy, outlining specific strategic priorities for the following five years, along with a timeline for their implementation. The Plan outlines over 180 specific measures that are being implemented in conjunction with approximately 60 stakeholders on a cross-Departmental basis in support of the Irish language and the Gaeltacht.
The Gaeltacht Act, 2012, provides the statutory footing for the language planning process. Under the process, Gaeltacht communities, and communities in Gaeltacht Service Towns and in Irish Language Networks as prescribed under the Act, are being afforded the opportunity to prepare and implement language plans at a community level with ongoing State support. To date, 18 of 26 language plans relating to Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas have been approved under the process, in addition to three plans relating to the Irish Language Networks and two plans relating to Gaeltacht Service Towns.
Further supports towards implementation of the process are provided centrally in the early years, family and youth sectors and for the traditional arts.
The new Programme for Government also contains a commitment that the Official Languages (Amendment) Bill 2019 be enacted before the end of this year. I look forward to bringing the Bill back before the Houses at second stage shortly, at which time Oireachtas members will have the opportunity to discuss the Bill and put forward proposals for its amendment.
I should also add that my Department provides significant co-funding to Foras na Gaeilge to carry out its statutory mandate under the British-Irish Agreement Act 1999, to promote the Irish language on an all-island basis. This funding, along with funding from the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland, enables Foras na Gaeilge to provide support, advice and financial assistance to many community language groups and to its six lead organisations, who are working to promote the Irish language on an all-island basis.
