Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Wall has asked a valid question. One of the challenges we have faced in the past five years is the fact that Foras was on care and maintenance. There is a link between the funding we provide and the funding in Northern Ireland. It did not allow them to expand the programmes as I would have liked. We need the coalface programmes, whether RAPID, CLÁR or Irish language, that get to the people who need the services. I have always said the Gaelscoileanna should not be just a school but a community. We must particularly support parents. Even if they do not require fluency in the language, they should have enough to assist their children. With the limited funds on the Coiste na Gaeilge, we have managed to increase those funds in recent years but there is a high demand.

We provided much more money this year to Bord na Leabhar Gaeilge and they are producing books in Irish that are much higher quality and more attractive and that is important. I also established an Irish language DVD scheme for children because while children can get English language DVDs of suitable children's programmes off the shelf, one cannot get the books and DVDs in Irish. One of the advantages of modern technology is children probably learn as much language from the television as they do from their parents, and if the television is talking in Irish, children will absorb this quickly. We are trying to be innovative. The way Deputy Wall suggests we go is correct and I will work with Foras subject to resources to move in that direction.

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