Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Budget 2021 provided an indicative increase of €1.779 million for cross-Border co-operation in the languages sector. This includes funding of €450,000 for commitments made by the Southern Government under New Decade, New Approach. The 2021 allocation, which is subject to further discussion with the Department for Communities in the North and the Deputy's colleague there, and to approval by the North South Ministerial Council, would allow Foras na Gaeilge, one of the agencies of An Foras Teanga, expand its language and cultural programmes to new areas and increase funding, where appropriate, for existing language groups, to include those funded under An Scéim Pobal Gaeilge, SPG.

A primary objective of the revised SPG will be to support Government policies, North and South: in the South, as set out in the Gaeltacht Act 2012 in respect of Irish language networks and Gaeltacht service towns; and in the North, as demonstrated in the strategy to enhance and protect the development of the Irish language. The new scheme, the funding levels of which are currently being finalised by Foras na Gaeilge, will be advertised in the new year. As part of a progressive approach, it is envisaged that the new scheme will be focused on the principles of language planning and that a long-term objective of the scheme would be that applicants eventually achieve recognition as an Irish language network.

My Department currently approves language plans for Irish language networks and Gaeltacht service towns which can apply for a further €80,000 per annum, through Údarás na Gaeltachta or Foras na Gaeilge, depending on their location, for the plan's implementation on top of the funding received under SPG. Due to their populations and size, the cities of Galway and Cork will be awarded an additional €100,000 in total towards the implementation of their language plans. All in all, therefore, this represents a significantly increased level of funding available to SPGs operating within Irish language networks and Gaeltacht service towns when compared to those operating outside these areas.

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