Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the 20-year strategy. I am not a knocker and I like to see the positive side of a Government, but at the beginning of this Government's term in 2011 I was very worried about the policies of Fine Gael and its commitment to the Irish language. I had concerns that they were abandoning the Irish language, but I welcome the work that has been done on this strategy. I believe it takes us in the right direction and I now believe the Government appreciates that the Irish language is terribly important to us in a number of different ways. Culturally, we have to protect our national tongue, but the Gaeltacht areas themselves have to be protected and enhanced.

I wish to talk about the service provided over many years by our mná tí. I remember being in Kilnamartyra in the house of Bean Lehane, God be good to her - she has now gone to her eternal reward. She was one of many people who opened up their houses to young students and who spoke Irish with them from morning until night whether they liked it or not. They drilled the language into them, but they were very kind and caring people. I would love the bean an tí system to be protected and enhanced with the necessary incentives so that people continue to open up their homes. The money they make out of it is very small and, as the Minister knows, it is more of a vocation than a job. They are also deeply committed to the Irish language and to the education of young people and they provide an excellent service. I urge the Government to ensure our mná tí are still there in five, ten or 20 years' time, and their children after them.

The Irish language should, of course, be kept as a compulsory subject for the leaving certificate, because there is no other way we can ensure young people embrace the language. There should also be a requirement for certain professions such as teachers, gardaí, civil servants and public service jobs in general. We should ensure the public service has a requirement as regards the Irish language.

At the time they came to power I thought Fine Gael was saying that money invested in the Irish language was wasted. It is not wasted. Any money we put into the Gaeltacht areas and the Irish language is an investment in our future. I know the Minister of State believes that, but I want to ensure that some of our urban Ministers appreciate it as much. The Minister of State may have to be more forceful in imposing his views on his colleagues.

Some farm smallholdings in Gaeltacht areas have been lost in the past few years and young people are emigrating. The last hope for the survival of these areas is the Irish language. The local economy of Ceann Trá and west Dingle is reliant on the Irish language and its survival. When I hold clinics there I am able to go to the ceilí sessions in my local hall and see youngsters enjoying their culture, their set dancing and the Irish music. I was once such a youngster myself in Ballyvourney and it was very special to see them all doing these very important things.

There should be an increase in funding for Tús Maith, as it encourages small children to learn their subjects through Irish. I would appreciate the Minister of State's support for that. Cúntóirí teangan are very important to enable native speakers to talk to children outside the Gaeltacht areas and encourage them to use our native tongue. I ask the Minister to ensure that future funding for this is ring-fenced.

As regards the provisions of child care as Gaeilge, there should be a strong emphasis on ensuring childminders are available who are fluent in the Irish language to take care of our young people. I spoke with a family living in a Gaeltacht area who wanted a childminder who was fluent in Irish to take care of their child but, despite their best efforts, they were unable to find one.

There is an opportunity therefore to ensure that employment is provided to people. That is because if childminders were fluent in Irish, they would be able to get such work. The Government should encourage young people who are being educated in the childminding sector to learn Irish. If they educate themselves to be fluent in the language, it might enhance their employment opportunities. It is an important thing for the Minister of State and the Government to consider.

As I have already said, I am not a knocker. Four years ago, I was worried that the Government would throw the Irish language to one side due to the bad economic situation when it took office. I appreciate, however, that the Government now says it will do everything it can to enhance the language and protect Gaeltacht areas by investing in them. Together with my constituents and those in the west Cork Gaeltacht, I warmly welcome any such work by the Minister of State and his officials. We are grateful for any steps to protect the Irish language.

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