Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when will the scheme for families who wish to raise their children through Irish, Clar Tacaiochta Teaglaigh, be rolled out in County Kerry; the number of many families that have availed of this scheme in each Gaeltacht area to date; his views on whether the scheme should be made more attractive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52890/12]

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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An Clár Tacaíochta Teaghlaigh, or the Family Language Support Programme, has as its key objective the strengthening of Irish as a household and community language in the Gaeltacht in accordance with the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 . It seeks to achieve this objective as a result of various practical measures which will better support Gaeltacht families who are raising their children through Irish or who wish to raise their children through Irish. The specific target groups under the Family Language Support Programme include expectant parents and parents of children of preschool and primary school age.

Insofar as the Kerry Gaeltacht is concerned, I am glad to report that, as a result of a recent meeting between my Department and relevant stakeholders, a number of specific measures are being progressed. These measures include the dispersal of an information leaflet Ag tógáil do pháiste le Gaeilge/Raising your child through Irish via ante-natal services in Tralee General Hospital and relevant health service facilities in the Kerry Gaeltacht. Arrangements are also in hand which will see the umbrella organisation Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta Teo. involved in the dissemination of the leaflet to all preschools operating under its auspices; the introduction of a presentation as part of the ante-natal classes around the issue of language choice. This presentation will include the usage of a short video highlighting the advantages of raising children through Irish which has been developed by my Department as part of the Family Language Support Programme. While my Department is spearheading the programme, it should be noted that Comharchumann Forbartha Chorca Dhuibhne Teo. will play a key role in delivering this part of the programme in the Kerry Gaeltacht as part of their overall remit; and the provision and dispersal of information posters through appropriate public facilities, including libraries and health facilities, in conjunction with Kerry County Council, throughout the Kerry Gaeltacht.

The content of the language support pack developed under the programme has been further developed. Almost 300 support packs have been distributed to date, including 57 support packs to Gaeltacht-based families. It is anticipated that this figure will increase as the roll-out of this part of the overall programme continues.

The Family Language Support Programme also targets Gaeltacht households with primary school children. In order to better support such families – insofar as the Kerry Gaeltacht is concerned – my Department recently sanctioned an allocation of €241,075 to Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne in respect of the Language Assistants Scheme, which this organisation operates on behalf of my Department in the Kerry Gaeltacht. This represents an increase in funding of almost €30,000 for the current school-year and will facilitate the further development of the scheme in order to better support primary school children in the Kerry Gaeltacht with improved opportunities for both acquiring and improving their fluency in the language.