From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
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The Minister of State for the Gaeltacht Patrick O'Donovan announced (today) that he has approved a fund worth €508,640 over a period of two years so that specific schools located in Gaeltacht Service Towns and Irish Language Networks identified under the language planning process will be able to employ a language assistant as part of the language planning process.
The Glór na nGael organisation will be responsible for administering the Scheme on behalf of the department. It is expected that up to 27 schools that operate through Irish in the seven Gaeltacht Service Towns and in the three Irish Networks that have been identified under the language planning process will be able to benefit from this measure which will begin to be implemented immediately. It is estimated that approximately 25 language assistants could be employed under the Scheme when it is in full swing.
134 schools are already benefiting from the department's Language Assistants Scheme from all over the Gaeltacht and 113 language assistants are working under the umbrella of the Scheme which is administered by the two organisations Muintearas and Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne on behalf of the department. The purpose of the Scheme is to support schools to provide additional language enrichment and acquisition opportunities for the attendees of the schools.
Minister of State O’Donovan said:
“This is a huge step forward that is being taken as additional support for the successful implementation of the language planning process. That process - which is under the overall direction of the department, is now in full swing in the Gaeltacht Service Towns and the Irish Language Networks that have been identified. It gives me great pleasure as Minister of State for the Gaeltacht to be able to do this. I strongly believe that the Irish language should be supported in this way.”
Lorcán Mac Gabhann, Head of Glór na nGael, said:
"This scheme will definitely have a positive impact on the development of the language in the participating schools. It will be a great and valuable advantage for the communities in the Gaeltacht service towns and the Irish Language Networks. We look forward to working with the community committees, schools, parents and principals in these areas. This is another part of the language planning that connects with other Glór na nGael schemes such as Fondúireacht Sheosaimh Mhic Dhonncha, Céimeanna, Gradaim Gnó na hÉireann, Teanga Tí agus Comórtas Náisiúnta Ghlór na nGael.”
In accordance with measures 2.13, 2.14 and 2.17 of the Irish Language Action Plan 2018-2022 (gov.ie - Action Plan 2018-2022 (www.gov.ie)) the departmental fund is being approved under the department's Community and Language Support Programme.
Under the Language Assistants Scheme, financial assistance is provided to further assist schools that fall under its umbrella to provide additional language acquisition and enrichment opportunities for the attendees of those schools.
In addition to the measure mentioned above, the department has taken the following steps in recent years to improve the scheme:
The following is a list of schools that could benefit from the additional fund.
| Relevant schools in the Gaeltacht Service Towns for which a language plan has been approved so far under the process: | |
| Trá Lí | Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn |
| Trá Lí | Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí |
| Cathair na Gaillimhe | SN Fhursa |
| Cathair na Gaillimhe | SN Bhrighde |
| Cathair na Gaillimhe | SN Iognáid |
| Cathair na Gaillimhe | Gaelscoil Dara |
| Cathair na Gaillimhe | Coláiste na Coiribe |
| BSG Leitir Ceanainn | Gaelscoil Adhamhnáin |
| BSG Leitir Ceanainn | Coláiste Ailigh |
| Relevant schools in the Irish Language Networks for which a language plan has been approved: | |
| Inis | Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg |
| Cluain Dolcáin | Gaelscoil na Camóige |
| Baile Locha Riach | Gaelscoil Riabhach |
| Relevant schools in Gaeltacht Service Towns that will be able to benefit from it in the future if a language plan has been approved for them: | |
| Cathair Chorcaí | Gaelscoil an Teaghlaigh Naofa |
| BCathair Chorcaí | SN Gleann Maighir/Scoil na nÓg |
| Cathair Chorcaí | Gaelscoil Uí Ríordáin |
| Cathair Chorcaí | Scoil an Athair Tadhg Ó Murchú |
| Cathair Chorcaí | Gaelscoil Mhachan |
| Cathair Chorcaí | Gaelscoil Peig Sayers |
| Cathair Chorcaí | Gaelscoil an Ghoirt Álainn |
| Cathair Chorcaí | Gaelscoil Uí Dhrisceoil |
| Cathair Chorcaí | Gaelscoil an Chaisleáin |
| Cathair Chorcaí | Coláiste an Phiarsaigh |
| Cathair Chorcaí | Gaelcholáiste Mhuire A.G. |
| Cathair Chorcaí | Coláiste Daibhéid |
| An Uaimh | Gaelscoil Éanna |
| Cathair Saidhbhín | Coláiste na Sceilge |
| Caisleán an Bharraigh | Scoil Raifteirí |