Publication
Gaeltacht Act 2012
From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
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The Gaeltacht Act 2012 has two primary objectives, namely, to provide for a new definition for the Gaeltacht and to make amendments to the structure and functions of Údarás na Gaeltachta.
Under the Gaeltacht Act 2012, it is envisaged that the Gaeltacht will in future be based on linguistic criteria instead of on geographic areas which has been the position to date. Language planning at community level will be central to the new definition of the Gaeltacht. Areas located outside the existing statutory Gaeltacht will be given the opportunity to achieve statutory recognition as Irish Language Networks or as Gaeltacht Service Towns, subject to fulfilling particular criteria.
In addition to amendments to Údarás na Gaeltachta’s functions, the Gaeltacht Act 2012 gives statutory effect to the implementation of the Language Planning Process by Údarás na Gaeltachta in the Gaeltacht. It also provides for a significant reduction in the number of members on the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta and dispenses with the requirement for elections to the board.
The Gaeltacht Act 2012 was signed by the President on 25 July 2012.
