From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
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Minister of State for the Gaeltacht and Sport and Government Chief-Whip, Jack Chambers TD, today launched the second annual report on the progress of the 2018–2022 Action Plan for the Irish Language on behalf of the government.
The publication of this report aligns with the commitment made when the Action Plan was launched in June 2018. It aligns with the overall objectives of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030.
This second report covers the 18 month period from 1 July 2019 to 31 December 2020 and provides an insight into 180 actions to be completed by the c. 60 stakeholders over the course of the five year plan. The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media has overall responsibility for co-ordinating the implementation of the Plan, the overarching 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 and the nine areas of action contained within the Strategy.
The publication of this report, which was presented to Government recently, aligns with the commitment made when the Action Plan was launched in June 2018 that such a report be published annually, in the interests of transparency and accountability.
Notwithstanding the difficulties caused by COVID-19 since early 2020, significant progress has been reported regarding the implementation of actions in the plan.
Highlights of the key achievements across the nine Areas for Action are outlined below:
Further information on the Action Plan (PG5) and the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language (S20) is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/2ea63-20-year-strategy-for-the-irish-language
Welcoming the publication of the report, Minister Catherine Martin said:
“There is no doubt that the period from the beginning of 2020 has posed a particular challenge due to COVID-19. Like all other areas of life, the pandemic has had a significant impact on the ability of all organisations involved in the implementation of the Action Plan for the Irish Language to play their part in overseeing the measures that apply to them and their work programmes as a whole on behalf of the Irish language and the Gaeltacht. In spite of all the restrictions, it is remarkable and encouraging that new and alternative ways of doing things have been found.”
Minister of State Chambers said:
“Since my appointment as Minister of State for the Gaeltacht I have taken every opportunity within the COVID-19 constraints to meet with the many Irish language and Gaeltacht organisations throughout the country to hear from them about what they are doing and planning for the benefit of the Irish language, in the interests of the Gaeltacht and the community to which they belong."
Minister of State Chambers also said:
“As a result of the partnership and shared ownership involved, I am pleased that significant progress is being reported in this second annual report on the implementation of the Action Plan. This publication also serves to highlight to the the Oireachtas, the public sector, Irish language and Gaeltacht organisations and the general public the progress that has been made in the 18 month period from July 2019 to December 2020. It also provides an insight into where further work is required to deal with those measures in the Plan which have been delayed."
Plean Gníomhaíochta 2018-2022: Tuairisc ar dhul chun cinn Iúil 2019 - Nollaig 2020
Straitéis 20 Bliain Don Ghaeilge 2010-2030
The Action Plan for the Irish Language 2018-2022 contains a range of measures across nine areas of action as set out in the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language: