Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Foras na Gaeilge, an agency of the North-South language body, is charged with the promotion of the Irish language on an all-island basis. In carrying out its legislative mandate, Foras na Gaeilge provides support, advice and financial assistance to many groups who promote the language.

An scéim forbartha lionraí Gaeilge is Foras na Gaeilge's multi-annual scheme to promote, protect and ingrain the Irish language among communities, with an emphasis on the development and implementation of comprehensive language plans for those communities taking part in the scheme. There are currently 36 Irish language groups, North and South, funded by Foras na Gaeilge 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. It is important to note that the scheme is operated by Foras na Gaeilge and I, as Minister, have no role in its administration.

The scheme began in January 2022 and has funding committed up to December 2024. More than €2.8 million has been provided to groups, both north and south of the Border, under the scheme for 2022 and 2023 and it is expected that a further iteration of the scheme will be advertised later this year.

Foras na Gaeilge is a constituent 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 North-South language body budget must be approved by the North South Ministerial Council. My Department has an additional allocation of €700,000 for North-South co-operation available in its budget for 2024. This allocation is available for use by the constituent organisations of the languages body, Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency, provided matching funding at agreed ratios is provided by the Northern Ireland Executive. Officials in my Department will continue to work with officials in the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland, the North-South language body's co-sponsor Department. Now that the institutions in Northern Ireland have been re-established, I hope progress can be made with regard to 2024 budgets, including in respect of the scéim forbartha lionraí Gaeilge.

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