Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 25 November 2014

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: An Fochoiste um an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030 agus Rudaí Gaolmhara

Supporting Minority Languages: Welsh Language Commission

12:55 pm

Ms Meri Huws:

On the Deputy's first question, it is very difficult to measure the success or otherwise of various initiatives. In terms of quantitative measures, the census is a particularly useful one. We were disappointed that the latest census showed a slight drop in the numbers indicating a capacity in the Welsh language; after going over the 20% mark, we have now dipped back below it. The census figures are still being unwrapped and we have seen only the very high-level data. However, we are starting to move now to the more granular information. What is very interesting is the indication of a growth in the numbers of young people who have some capacity in the language. That is something we need to grasp. As a consequence of Welsh-medium education, we are seeing an increasing capacity. Whether we are then harnessing that and moving it forward into the workforce is another question. There is a major issue for us around third level education.