From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
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Senator Seán Kyne, Minister of State for the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Islands has announced today, that he has approved a grant of up €184,418 or 95% of the total cost, whichever is the lesser, for Naíonra Ghleann Domhain, to enable the construction of a permanent structure for the Naíonra on the same site as the primary school in the area.
There is currently no naíonra in Gleann Domhain and there is no doubt that Irish-medium preschool activities will greatly support the aims of the Language Planning Process, in particular the activities relating to family, community and educational issues.
While speaking on the matter, the Minister of State said that “the early years sector was specifically mentioned in the Government’s Action Plan 2018-2022 for the Irish Language which was launched in June 2018 and my Department’s capital programme was amended last year in line with Action 3.12 of the Plan in order to better support the early years sector.”
“This grant will boost the construction industry in this area at a time when that industry is opening up again after the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. In addition to this, a contractor has been chosen and is waiting to begin these works. Summer is the best time to begin these construction works as the school on the same site will be closed,” said the Minister of State.
“The approval of this grant is an indication that my Department is focusing on supporting Gaeltacht communities in greatly improving pre-school accommodation in Gaeltacht areas this year and in the years ahead. I hope that this grant will be of benefit to the naíonra while they take an active part in the language planning process and in the general activities and events which they also undertake.”
Under action 3.12 of the Action Plan 2018-2022, the maximum level of capital funding which is being provided to early years projects under the Department’s Community and Language Supports Programme was increased from 80% to 95% of the total eligible costs, in order to better support the provision of Irish-medium early years education in Gaeltacht areas.
This grant has been approved in accordance with the commitment made as part of the Community and Language Supports Programme under Action 2.11, 2.22, 2.24 and 3.12 of the Action Plan 2018-2022.