Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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16. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the supports that have been put in place to support and encourage Irish-speaking communities outside the Gaeltacht and increase engagement by young persons with the Irish language outside of their formal education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27364/20]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department, under its Irish Language Support Schemes, provides funding for various Irish language organisations and projects, to support and encourage youth development through the medium of the Irish language. The grants are aimed primarily at organisations or groups operating outside the Gaeltacht.

My Department has provided current and capital funding to TechSpace (Camara Education) to support schools and youth organisations in purchasing Digital Media and STEM equipment. The TechSpace project is aimed at young people interested in developing their experience and skills in digital media and STEM. The network helps young people to create digital and technological material as they engage in activities such as digital film, web design, mobile app development and robotics, among others. Under the direction of trained instructors and mentors, young people can enhance their computer competency, while improving their self-confidence and social skills - all through the medium of Irish.

My Department also provides an annual grant towards the running costs of An Cumann Scoildramaíochta. An Cumann Scoildrámaíochta encourages the use of the Irish language through drama. Young people are given the opportunity to use the language in a creative and artistic way, outside of a school setting. Teachers are also encouraged to produce and write new dramas themselves.

The ‘Aistritheoirí Óga' (Young Translators) translation competition also funded by my Department is organised jointly by the European Commission and the Irish Government. It is open to students across Ireland who are at least 15 years of age who have the ability to translate from English into Irish, or from a choice of five other European languages into Irish.  The competition has three goals: to promote a high standard of Irish, to encourage multilingualism among secondary school students and to encourage their interest in careers with Irish.

The Family Language Scheme (Scéim Teanga Tí), which is administered by Glór na nGael and Gaeloideachas Teo, aims to develop networks of Irish-speaking families among children attending Irish-medium education.  Under this programme, families whose children are in senior infants and who wish to raise their children through Irish are given support and encouragement to do so.

In addition, my Department and Foras na Gaeilge also provide funding to Raidió Rí-Rá and Raidió na Life respectively. Both Irish language radio stations provide an excellent Irish Language radio service to young people, both withinin and outside of Gaeltacht areas.

My Department has also provided funding to an Irish language village family area as part of the St. Patrick's Festival, provides annual funding to An Taibhdhearc theatre, whose activities include an annual Christmas show for children, and provides capital funding for Irish language centres around the country which support the development of Irish speaking communities outside of the Gaeltacht.

I should also point the Deputy to the range of Irish language community and family supports provided by Foras na Gaeilge and its six lead organisations on an all-Island  basis. Details of these supports can be found on the organisation's webside at www.forasnagaeilge.ie.