An Foras Teanga

An Foras Teanga was established on the 2nd of December 1999, being one of six North/South Implementation Bodies established under the British-Irish Agreement Act 1999.

There are two Agencies that are part of An Foras Teanga, namely Foras na Gaeilge and Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch (The Ulster-Scots Agency).

• Foras na Gaeilge succeeded Bord na Gaeilge and the main task of the Organisation is to promote the Irish language in all aspects of life throughout the island of Ireland, and
• Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch, or Ulster-Scots Agency's primary responsibility is to promote the Ulster-Scots language and culture within Northern Ireland and throughout the island of Ireland.

An Foras Teanga reports to the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) and to the Ministers in the Sponsoring Departments, i.e. The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and the Department for Communities (DfC) in Northern Ireland.

The British-Irish Agreement Act 1999 (No. 1 of 1999) is the statutory basis for Cross-Border Implementation Bodies, including An Foras Teanga. This primary legislation can be found at the following link along with subsequent primary and secondary legislation: Legislation - An Foras Teanga

Funding is provided to Foras na Gaeilge and Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and the Department for Communities (DfC) in Northern Ireland according to budgets approved by the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC).

Foras na Gaeilge is co-financed on a 75% basis from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and 25% from the DfC.

Tha Boord o Ulstèr Scotch is co-financed on a 25% basis from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and 75% from the DfC.

In addition, this Department provides further funding to Foras na Gaeilge for activities related to Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge and Clár Colmcille.

The role of Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge is to support reading, writing and publishing initiatives in Irish.

Colmcille is a tripartite initiative aimed at promoting Irish and Scots Gaelic. Following a NSMC decision in November 2014, Foras na Gaeilge will continue to promote Colmcille on the island of Ireland and Bòrd na Gàidhlig will continue to promote Colmcille in Scotland. A joint interagency working group will focus on strategic projects, funding priorities and other collaborative initiatives, as well as sharing best practice and creating sustainable connections for the community.

This Department's funding for An Foras Teanga is provided under Subsection C.9 of the Department's Vote and the gross provision available in 2026 is €20.248 million. Included in this provision is capital funding of €2,643,000 under the Shared Island Initiative.

The board of An Foras Teanga comprises the boards of both Agencies. There are 16 members on the board of Foras na Gaeilge and 8 members on the board of Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch. These appointments are made by the NSMC. Details of the current board members are as follows:

FORAS NA GAEILGE 16 Members

Ulster-Scots Agency 8 Members

http://www.forasnagaeilge.ie/

https://www.ulsterscotsagency.com/

Foras Teanga Division

Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht

Na Forbacha

Galway

H91 KX39

Ireland

Phone: +353 91 503700

Email: foras.teanga@drcdg.gov.ie