Minister Calleary announces publication of the review of the first 10 language plans under the language planning process in the Gaeltacht
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From: Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht
- Published on: 19 January 2026
- Last updated on: 19 January 2026
The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, TD, announced today (19 January 2026) that the review of the first 10 language plans under the language planning process has been published.
Under the Gaeltacht Act 2012, the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht must complete a review of language plans. As a result of a request from the language planning community itself, the first review of the process has been an independent one, undertaken by the company, Barr Feabhais Teo.
Barr Feabhais Teo. undertook research and consultation with a wide range of organisations, Irish language lead organisations and stakeholders in the course of their work. A range of recommendations are included in the review published today, encompassing actions which will support language planning in years to come. The response of the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to those recommendations is also being published today in tandem with the review.
It is worth noting that a significant number of recommendations are included in respect of which implementation has already commenced. These include matters emanating from the National Plan for Irish Language Public Services and from the Digital Plan for the Irish Language as well the provision of substantial additional financial supports by Minister Calleary’s Department in the areas of family transmission, early years, youth services and the arts, to name a few. Other recommendations are included which could prompt new measures as the second cycle of the language planning process approaches.
Dara Calleary TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, welcomed the publication of this review. He said:
“I would like to thank Barr Feabhais Teoranta, who undertook the review of the first 10 language plans, and all those who took part in the review process. Although the independent consultants have identified certain challenges, the findings clearly show that overall the process is proving successful. Many of the recommendations involve improving public services in the Gaeltacht and, to that end, I will be submitting the first Action Plan for Irish Language Public Services to Government this week. Having secured the largest ever increase for the Irish language and Gaeltacht sector in Budget 2026, an additional €3m will be invested in the process this year. Between this investment and the impact of the Action Plan, the coming period will see an acceleration of the process. The review published today will be of assistance in accomplishing this, as well as supporting the implementation of the second cycle of the language planning process.”
A copy of the review and a copy of the Department’s response is available at Language Planning Process.
Notes
Review of Language Plans
Funding of up to €92,500 was approved for the independent review of the first ten language plans approved in accordance with the Gaeltacht Act, 2012. The independent consultants, Barr Feabhais Teo., were selected for the work. The plans in question were:
- Cloich Cheann Fhaola, Gort an Choirce, An Fál Carrach and Machaire Rabhairtaigh
- Ná Déise
- Ciarraí Theas
- Gaoth Dobhair, Rann na Feirste, Anagaire & Loch an Iúir
- Ciarraí Thiar
- Conamara Láir
- An Cheathrú Rua
- Maigh Eo Thuaidh
- Ráth Chairn & Baile Ghib
- Árainn Mhór
The terms of reference agreed for the review were as follows:
- Item 1: Preparing an approach to reviewing the language plans;
- Item 2: Reviewing the first 10 language plans of the Language Planning Areas;
- Item 3: Providing a report to the Department and to the language planning lead organisations regarding each language plan;
- Item 4: Furnishing the Department with a report containing an overall view of progress arising from an analysis of the 10 plans noted in Item 2.
- Item 5: Providing specific recommendations in the report noted in Item 4 regarding actions to be taken by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and Údarás na Gaeltachta to improve the implementation of the language planning process, based on any relevant trends identified in the course of reviewing the language plans.