Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Scéim forbartha líonraí Gaeilge is Foras na Gaeilge’s multi-annual community scheme to promote, protect and ingrain the Irish language in particular areas with an emphasis on the development and implementation of comprehensive language plans for the areas that are part of the scheme. There are 36 Irish language groups, North and South, funded through the scheme, including nine grantees within a number of the areas which have already been designated as Irish language networks or Gaeltacht service towns. The remaining 27 grantees under the scheme are at various levels depending on their current stage of development.

Structured progression has been built into this scheme with a focus on the current stage of development of the applicant. Three stages of development have been developed as part of this scheme: higher level; intermediate level; and basic level. It would be hoped that groups at the basic and intermediate levels would progress over time to the next level subject to successful implementation of their agreed multi-annual programmes. In accordance with Government policy on the Irish language, the emphasis of this scheme is on longer term and more strategic planning following the principles of language planning. The scheme began in January 2022 and has funding committed up to December 2024. It is expected that a further iteration of this scheme will be advertised in 2024. Over €2.8 million has been provided to groups, both North and South of the Border, under the scheme for 2022 and 2023.

As the Deputy will be aware, Foras na Gaeilge is part of An Foras Teanga, the North-South language body, co-sponsored by my Department and the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland. On this basis, all matters relating to the budget for the North-South language body budget must be approved by the North-South Ministerial Council, NSMC. My Department has again provided an additional allocation of €700,000 for North-South co-operation in its budget for 2024. Unfortunately, it is not currently possible to release this funding to the language body due to the absence of NSMC meetings.

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