Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 June 2022
35. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide classes for Irish language learners in a community (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34699/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department directly funds a range of initiatives to support the learning of Irish that are available to the general public, including to members of the community to which the Deputy refers. Class providers range from education providers delivering free classes to others delivering classes on a commercial basis, some of which are delivered in-person and others online. The Department also funds a number of projects from which learning resources and teaching resources are available to the general public.
Below is a list of initiatives funded directly by the Department which may be of interest to the community to which the Deputy refers:
- The Fáilte ar Líne Project – this project provides 5 courses aimed at beginners covering Irish language and culture.
- Cill Dara le Gaeilge, a community-based organisation in Co. Kildare whose activities include the provision of Irish classes locally, some in conjunction with Kildare County Council library service.
- TEG – Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge is an Irish language proficiency exams and qualifications system for adult learners of Irish. Learning and teaching resources are available free of charge on its website www.teg.ie.
- Vifax is an Irish language learning resource available free of charge online at vifax.maynoothuniversity.ie.
- Scéim Teanga Tí – this scheme is provided by Glór na nGael as a resource for families who wish to raise their children through the medium of Irish, including conversation groups, Irish language classes and social events.
- Fondúireacht Sheosaimh Mhic Dhonncha: A network of GAA clubs receive assistance from Glór na nGael to provide Irish language activities to club members. These activities include Irish language classes in some clubs.
- Na Gaeil Óga – this all-Irish GAA club has teams at all age levels and abilities and provides support to members and parents of members who wish to learn and improve their Irish.
- Linguistic resources such as Téarma.ie; Logainm.ie; Gaois.ie; Duchas.ie are provided to the public online free of charge.
The Department also funds two State agencies, Foras na Gaeilge and Údarás na Gaeltachta, who are responsible for promoting the Irish language outside and inside the Gaeltacht respectively, who, in turn, fund local groups who provide Irish classes in the community.
Foras na Gaeilge supports include the following:
- Irish Language Networks – Loughrea, Ennis and Clondalkin have been nominated as communities designated to be Irish Language Networks and structures and funding have been put in place to support and develop resources and activities already in place in these communities through the development of an Irish language plan. Irish language classes are available from the organisations selected to prepare these Irish language plans.
- Irish Language Communities Scheme – a total of 18 organisations are funded under this scheme through which Irish language activities including Irish classes are available.
Údarás na Gaeltachta supports include:
- A total of 26 Gaeltacht areas have been designated as Language Planning Areas for which language plans are being implemented. Some organisations implementing these plans already provide Irish classes in their respective communities. A total of 16 areas have been nominated as areas which may be designated as Gaeltacht Service Towns and there are currently 5 towns in the process of implementing plans, including Daingean Uí Chúis/Dingle, Letterkenny, Galway City, An Clochán Liath and Tralee. Further information is available from the Language Planning Officers in these Language Planning Areas and Gaeltacht Service Towns.
In addition, other classes may be available to parents of children enrolled in Irish language primary and post-primary schools. An associated resource to support parents by providing key Irish language phrases can be found at the following link: gaeloideachas.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/A5-booklet-11.pdf
