Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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372. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht whether his Department has set a definitive date for the formal approval of the Nascadh Uíbh Ráthaigh language plan; the measures being taken to ensure that the Nascadh Uíbh Ráthaigh language plan will be operational in parallel with the Brí Uíbh Ráthaigh (South Kerry Gaeltacht) language plan, which is scheduled to recommence this autumn (details supplied). [28483/25]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Funding not exceeding €15,000 was approved in June 2022 to enable Nascadh Uíbh Ráthaigh to prepare a Language Plan for that area of Uíbh Ráthaigh situated outside the official Gaeltacht boundaries and outside the Gaeltacht Service Town of Cahersiveen. This grant was approved in line with the commitment made in the Government’s 2018-2022 Action Plan for the Irish Language. Funding for the preparation of a plan was sanctioned on an exceptional basis - recognising the specific circumstances of the area.

Foras na Gaeilge are responsible under the Gaeltacht Act 2012 for supporting organisations in relation to the preparation and implementation of language plans in Gaeltacht Service Towns. While leithinis Uíbh Ráthaigh is not classed as a Gaeltacht Service Town and lies outside official Gaeltacht boundaries, I am aware of the efforts within that community to strengthen and promote the language within the community. I therefore requested Foras na Gaeilge to contact Nascadh Uíbh Ráthaigh with a view to providing supports to assist them in their language planning efforts.

I understand from Foras na Gaeilge that a meeting was held between the Foras na Gaeilge Language Planning unit and representatives of Nascadh Uíbh Ráthaigh during Oireachtas na Samhna in Killarney in November 2024. Various issues related to language planning and promotion were raised at this meeting and Nascadh Uíbh Ráthaigh were asked to provide additional details regarding current language activities in the area. Following on from further discussions between Foras and my Department on the 10th of December in 2024, Foras na Gaeilge wrote to Nascadh Uíbh Ráthaigh outlining the timeline for the upcoming applications to their Scéim Forbartha Líonraí, which Nascadh could apply for as an initial step toward gaining recognition for an Choireán as a Líonra Gaeilge. Details were also provided regarding other relevant Foras na Gaeilge support schemes and Nascadh were informed that they could, if necessary avail of the supports of a Foras na Gaeilge language planning coordinator to further assist them in their efforts.

You can be assured that my Department will continue to work in collaboration with all stakeholders, towards the successful implementation of the language planning process, ensuring the resources are available to serve it in the most effective way possible and that the language planning process is functioning as intended is a priority for the Department.