Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 386: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will confirm his commitment to fund Cumann na bhFiann into the future in view of the fact that this is the only national organisation providing regular opportunities for young people to speak Irish as a living language outside of the school system, through weekly youth clubs and events. [27480/11]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I refer the Deputy to my replies to recent Parliamentary Questions on this matter (Parliamentary Question No.163 on 22 September 2011 and Parliamentary Question No.126 on 28 September 2011).

By way of background, I should explain that Foras na Gaeilge currently provides core funding to 19 Irish language organisations, including Cumann na bhFiann. Foras na Gaeilge is an agency of the North/South Language Body, An Foras Teanga, which is jointly funded by my Department and by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in Northern Ireland. Decisions regarding An Foras Teanga are made by both Sponsor Departments under the auspices of the North/South Ministerial Council.

Following an external review completed on behalf of Foras na Gaeilge, the North/South Ministerial Council agreed that the core funding arrangements be reconfigured to ensure a more streamlined and cost effective approach. The reconfiguration consists of moving from core funding for 19 organisations to a competitive funding model based on a portfolio of schemes requiring the delivery of various strategic priorities.

The present position is that the board of Foras na Gaeilge approved eight draft schemes at its meeting on 23 September 2011. These draft schemes are currently under consideration by the Sponsor Departments in preparation for the next meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council in language sectoral format on 12 October 2011.

The draft schemes include a Youth Scheme with the objectives of providing a range of youth services on an all-island basis and supporting groups/clubs that provide opportunities for young people to regularly use Irish in a social environment outside the school system. It will of course be open to Cumann na bhFiann to seek funding under the proposed Youth Scheme to continue its work with Irish language youth clubs.

It is important to note that pending the introduction of the schemes, it has been agreed that interim core funding will continue to be provided to the 19 Irish language organisations to 30 June 2012.