Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2024
371. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she is aware that 16 schools in Cork city that operate through Irish are without language assistants; and her proposal to resolve same. [16165/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraScéim na gCúntóirí Teanga, through the allocation of Irish language assistants to schools, provides support to teachers in primary and post-primary schools through the organisation of language acquisition and enrichment activities and opportunities for pupils.
In 2022, Muintearas Teo. was allocated €4.039m over a three year period for the provision of these services in Gaeltacht schools. In addition, the organisation Glór na nGael received €500,000 to manage Scéim na gCúntóirí Teanga in schools located in statutory Irish Language Networks outside of Gaeltacht areas and in Gaeltacht Service Towns such as Cork City.
Due to ongoing delays with the delivery of a language plan for Cork City, the roll out of Scéim na gCúntóirí Teanga to Irish medium schools in the City has been delayed. However, my officials are currently engaging with another organisation in the area with a view to providing services to the Irish language community of Cork City, including the allocation of Irish language assistants to those Irish medium schools mentioned. The Department is confident that an agreement can be reached in this regard within the short to medium term.
