Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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My Department has not had a regular funding arrangement with Gael-Taca since 2020, when significant governance issues which had come to light in the organisation led to suspension of Departmental funding.

Subsequently, the Department provided Gael-Taca with a financial package with the objective of clearing debts that had accumulated within the organisation. This process was concluded in late 2023.

The Department received a new funding application from Gael-Taca in September 2023. It is the Department’s view, however, that sufficiently robust structures are not in place to avoid governance issues reoccurring. In light of these circumstances, the Department is not in a position to provide grant funding to the organisation.

My Department remains committed to supporting Irish language initiatives in Cork City and is actively engaging with Foras na Gaeilge and other stakeholder in this regard.