Publication of the Údarás na Gaeltachta Bill 2024

Publication of the Údarás na Gaeltachta Bill 2024

The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, and Minister of State for the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne TD, announced today that the Government has published the Údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) Bill 2024 which will give effect to a new approach regarding the composition of the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta.

An election/selection process will replace the current nomination/selection process that has been in place since 2012. The proposed changes arise from the commitment in the Programme for Government that a review would be undertaken in relation to the current process by which Bord an Údaráis is constituted. This was completed in late 2022 and is available here.

When this legislation commences, there will be 10 elected members and 6 members appointed by the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media on Bord an Údaráis. The Bill also provides that Údarás will establish three statutory Regional Committees, including members nominated by local authorities, and for a requirement that all members of Údarás and the Regional Committees will be able to demonstrate a level of competence in Irish that is necessary to fulfill their functions.

The Bill includes an additional provision that was not included in the General Scheme and Bill Heads approved by the Government in March. With this amendment, Section 8 of the Údarás na Gaeltachta Act, 1979 will be amended for the purpose of the provision of housing in Gaeltacht areas.

Minister Catherine Martin said:

“The Údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) Bill 2024 has been now been published. This is another positive step in the legislative process towards appointing the next board of Údarás na Gaeltachta in accordance with the democratic process agreed in late 2022.”

Minister of State Thomas Byrne said:

“Since my appointment as Minister of State for the Gaeltacht, I have given priority to the progression of this important piece of legislation and I look forward to introducing it in Dáil Éireann on Thursday. The success of the Údarás na Gaeltachta depends on its alignment with the needs of Gaeltacht communities which are constantly changing. I hope that the provision regarding housing matters will help in terms of making progress with the provision of housing in the Gaeltacht areas.”

Note for the Editor

The current system for constituting the board is based on a selection/nomination process.

Údarás had thirteen (13) members when it was established under Acht um Údarás na Gaeltachta 1979: a chairperson and five other members appointed by the Minister, and seven other members elected by the public. The method for appointment to Bord an Údaráis was amended in 1999 resulting in an increase in membership from 13 to 20. Under this revised approach seventeen (17) members were elected and the Minister nominated the other three members – including the Chairperson of the Board. Elections were organised by the Department in conjunction with the Local Authorities.

The requirement in relation to elections was abolished in 2012, when the number was reduced to twelve (12) members in accordance with the relevant provisions of Acht na Gaeltachta 2012. Under the current arrangement the board consists of five members nominated by the relevant Local Authorities of Gaeltacht areas, as well as seven other members selected based on a public competition organised under the auspices of the Public Appointments Service (PAS). The Chairperson of the Board is appointed by the Minister. The appointment is for a period of five years – with the exception of the counties with a small Gaeltacht area, namely: Counties Cork, Waterford and Meath. In the case of these counties the appointment lasts for a period of two years and the periods lasts on the basis of the following rota: Meath, Cork and Waterford.

A copy of the Bill is available here.

The current board is appointed until the end of 2024.