Written answers

Thursday, 25 April 2013

Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Irish Language

Photo of Martin FerrisMartin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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34. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of language plans that have been agreed as regards languages planning areas under the Gaeltacht Act 2012; if he will itemise these areas with agreed plans on a county basis; the resources being put in place to support the establishment and implementation of such plans; and his plans in relation to agreed language planning areas which have yet to put a plan in place. [19293/13]

Photo of Dinny McGinleyDinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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It is intended that the initial Orders and Regulations, associated with the language planning process prescribed in the Act, will be made by June 2013. It is at that stage that communities will be officially invited to prepare language plans under the Act. It is intended that the initial Orders and Regulations, associated with the language planning process prescribed in the Act, will be made by June 2013. It is at that stage that communities will be officially invited to prepare language plans under the Act. However, initial steps have been taken by Údarás na Gaeltachta with a view to commencing the language planning process with organisations and communities in the areas concerned. Among the main measures being implemented in this regard are:

- the classification of Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas; and

- the development of a system for selecting community organisations to draw up and implement language plans for the various Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas.

These language plans will be prepared in accordance with language planning criteria to be specified in the regulations. This approach puts the communities at the heart of the language planning process since it gives them the opportunity to take ownership of their own plan in their own community. As regards funding, a sum of €3.4m has been allocated to Údarás na Gaeltachta for 2013 in relation to language-based activities in the Gaeltacht and the promotion of the language planning process in particular. An amount in excess of €8.2m has also been made available to my Department for 2013 to fund various Irish Language support schemes in the Gaeltacht.

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