Written answers
Wednesday, 14 February 2024
Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
Irish Language
Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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185. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 624 of 13 June 2023, the status of plans for the designation of additional Irish language networks; the details of the proposed additional networks; the details of the engagement between her Department and Foras na Gaeilge in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6794/24]
Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that all three of the Irish Language Networks designated under the Gaeltacht Act 2012 in Loughrea, Clondalkin and Ennis had their language plans approved in January of 2020 and are currently implementing same. Annual funding of up to €96,000 over a 7 year period is being made available to each of those Irish Language Networks in order to implement their plans.
My Department has recently had discussions with Foras na Gaeilge about the feasibility of designating additional Irish Language Networks in a small number of areas. Work in this regard will be progressed by Foras na Gaeilge over the coming months.
The Deputy should be aware that, in tandem with the statutory language planning process administered by my Department in the south, Foras na Gaeilge administers a similar non-statutory process in Northern Ireland. To date, two networks have been approved under this initiative, in Iarthar Bhéal Feirste and Carn Tóchair.
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