Minister Chambers announces funding for Oideas Gael and the Toraigh Language Plan
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From: Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
- Published on: 18 December 2020
- Last updated on: 18 December 2020
€65,000 approved for Oideas Gael, Gleann Cholm Cille, Co. Donegal
€100,000 annual aid approved to support the implementation of the Toraigh Language Plan
The Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs and Sport, Jack Chambers TD today announced that the Toraigh language plan has been approved under the Language Planning Process. This means that an annual allowance of up to €100,000 will be allocated under the process to support the implementation of the plan on the island. This will allow the Toraigh Co-operative and the Toraigh Language Planning Committee to employ a Language Planning Officer to help implement the language plan on the island.
Minister of State Chambers also announced his approval of an allowance of more than €65,000 to support Oideas Gael in the implementation of an agreed agenda regarding the provision of Irish course for adults in the Gleann Cholm Cille Gaeltacht.
Announcing the language plan and the related annual allowance, Minister of State Chambers said:
"As a result of the approval of the language plan for the island under the language planning process, a Language Planning Officer can now be employed to assist with the implementation of the language plan on the island. This is a huge step forward and I’m sure the community of Toraigh will benefit from the significant annual funding that will be provided for the next seven years to assist with the successful implementation of the plan. I applaud the co-operative for the immense work they have done in preparing the plan and I wish them every success in its implementation."
Announcing the grant for Oideas Gael, Minister of State Chambers said:
"The immense work of the Oideas Gael organisation has been widely recognised for years, giving adults all over Ireland and around the world the opportunity to learn Irish in the beautiful surroundings of Gleann Cholm Cille. As a result of Oideas Gael hundreds of people are drawn to the region annually – which greatly aids cultural tourism and the economy of the area."
The language plan and the Oideas Gael grant are approved in accordance with the assurance given in the Community Support Programme and the Language Planning Process under action 2.1, 2.3, 2.13, 2.20, 2.22 and 2.21 of the Action Plan 2018-2022.
ENDS
Notes
- of the 26 Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas, 20 areas have been approved to date including Toraigh while 2 are being assessed by the department. The Údarás is also reviewing 3 other plans and preparing 1 plan
- 21 Language Planning Officers have been employed (18 Language Planning Officers, 3 Assistant Language Planning Officers)
- 2 Approved Gaeltacht Service Towns – An Daingean & Letterkenny
- the preparation of a language plan is currently underway in 6 towns - An Clochán Liath, Castlebar, Cahersiveen, Cork, Dungarvan & Tralee and the department is currently reviewing a language plan for Galway City
- 3 Irish Language Networks were approved in January 2020 – Ennis, Loughrea, Clondalkin