From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
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It has been announced today by the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, and by the Minister of State for the Gaeltacht, Patrick O’Donovan, that they have approved a grant of up to €1,019,086 over a period of 3 years (2024-2026) for Oireachtas na Gaeilge, to enable them to establish an Irish Language Network for public sector employees.
With the establishment of this Network, opportunities to speak the language will now be offered on a more formal basis to those in the public sector who wish to develop, maintain or use their Irish in a work context – from learners to those with a high level of competence, and everything in between.
It will involve 4 major events a year as well as other regional and special interest events – to include ones for various levels of ability and these events will be open to:
It is intended for these events to reach approximately 8,000 people per year and that the network will serve those:
The establishment of this Irish Language Network for the Public Sector is an important element in the implementation of the Official Languages Acts 2003-2021 and in reaching the ambitious targets set out therein, particularly:
Speaking about the establishment of the Irish Language Network for the Public Sector, Minister Martin said:
“The approval of this grant demonstrates the progressive initiatives already resulting from the additional €0.5 million approved for the implementation of the Act under Budget 2024. It also demonstrates the government’s dedication to developing the language capacity of the public sector, and indeed, to successfully achieving the overall objectives of the legislation. We now have a very positive message regarding the employment opportunities available to those competent in Irish, including those already in the system, and we have to seize every opportunity to spread that message far and wide and support those who may be interest in these opportunities.”
Minister of State O’Donovan said that the establishment of this network met the wishes of State employees:
“Last year, my department made progress in partnership with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, on the Irish language courses provided by Gaelchultúr, on behalf of OneLearning, for civil service employees with Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge (TEG) now certifying those courses. These courses have grown in popularity among civil servants since then, but the main feedback coming through every term is the need to provide additional supports to Irish language learners to practice the language with their peers outside of the classroom. I am delighted that we can now respond to those wishes with the establishment of this network, and I am grateful to the Oireachtas for their dedication to the State’s vision and strengthening the language in the public system.”
The Head of the Oireachtas, Máirín Nic Dhonnchadha, also had this to say on the matter:
“We welcome this support for employees in the public sector. It will enable An tOireachtas to build and develop an Irish Language Network which will be diverse, energetic and enticing, as a way of supporting and inspiring its participants - from fluent Irish speakers to learners - to speak Irish confidently, whether in the workplace, with family at home or out socialising with friends. Members of the Network will have many opportunities to make new friends through Irish and to take part in social, cultural and artistic events through Irish.”
This grant was approved from budget line C11 – Public Service Initiatives. This budget line was initiated in 2023 to support the department’s efforts in embedding the provisions of the new Language Act across the public sector, for the benefit of the Irish speaking community inside and outside the Gaeltacht. €1 million was the allocation under Budget 2023 and €1.5 million the allocation now under Budget 2024.
An tOireachtas will be recruiting a team of four with a variety of skills to oversee the particulars of the establishment and development of the network, including a manager to direct the initiative. It is intended that the recruitment process will start early in the new year.
Expressions of interest in membership of the Network will also be sought in the new year.