Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that the governance concerns to which I referred in my response to Question No. 352 of 5th March related to management practices and financial management within the Gael-Taca organisation. These shortcomings in governance and in financial control deviated significantly from best practice expected from organisations receiving government funding. Consequently, my Department had no option but to suspend the previous funding agreement with Gael-Taca.

Over the past number of years my Department has liaised with Gael-Taca with a view to addressing these issues and strengthening the organisation’s governance regime. My Department also provided substantial emergency funding to Gael-Taca in order to clear debts the organisation had accumulated.

Upon reviewing the latest funding application submitted by Gael-Taca to my Department in September 2023, the Department remains of the view that Gael-Taca has neither the organisational capacity to handle state funding in line with best practice nor a clear future vision for the organisation. Consequently, my Department notified Gael-Taca in February 2024 that it was not in a position to enter into a funding agreement with the organisation.

My Department remains determined to actively support the promotion of the Irish language in Cork City and is currently exploring other possibilities in this regard.