Press release
Aran Islands Language Plan approved by Minister Martin and Minister of State Chambers
From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Published on
Last updated on
It was announced today by the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, the Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin and Jack Chambers, Minister of State with responsibility for the Gaeltacht and Sport, at an event attended by the Minister of State on Inis Oírr, that the Aran Islands language plan has been approved under the language planning process. This means that the language plans in all 26 Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas have now been approved.
It was also announced that a yearly allowance of up to €300,000 will be made available to support the implementation of the plan, which takes into account the particular challenges faced by the islands. The Minister for State indicated his intention to organise visits to the two other Aran Islands, Inis Meáin and Árainn, in the near future.
Minister Martin said:
“There has undoubtedly been a considerable milestone reached with the approval of this language plan, as its approval signifies that all Gaeltacht areas are now either implementing their language plans or ready to begin implementation. With the funding which has been made available for the language planning process rising gradually since its inception, the implementation of the process has been going from strength to strength to the benefit of the Irish language and the Gaeltacht.”
Minister of State Chambers said:
“It is remarkable and a real cause for celebration that all plans relating to the Gaeltacht areas have now been approved following the approval of this plan. This means that the three Aran islands and Údarás na Gaeltachta, with the help of my department, can now undertake the next steps without any further delay and begin the implementation of the plan. I congratulate everyone - the people of the islands, the lead-organisations and the committees - who played a part in all the work involved in the preparation of the plan. I hope to return to Inis Oírr as soon as possible in the future after visiting Inis Mór and Inis Meáin.”
A total fund of €5.8 million is being made available to support the language planning process in the current year. This amounts to an increase of €800,000 on the fund which was available in 2021.
Following the approval of this plan, all 26 Gaeltacht Language Planning Area plans have now been approved.
21 Language Planning Officers (19 in Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas & 2 in Gaeltacht Service Towns) and 4 Assistant Language Planning Officers have been appointed and are implementing language plans at present.
5 Gaeltacht Service Towns have been approved to date under the process - Letterkenny, Daingean Uí Chúis, Galway City, An Clochán Liath and Tralee.
A further two plans relating to Gaeltacht Service Towns, the Castlebar language plan and the Dungarvan language plan, are being assessed by the department at present. The process pertaining to the drawing up of plans is in progress for the following towns: Cahersiveen, Castlebar and Cork City.
3 Irish Language Networks have been approved to date under the statutory process - Ennis, Loughrea and Clondalkin - with a further two in the north - Carntogher and West Belfast - approved by Foras na Gaeilge subject to a non-statutory process initiated by the organisation there.