A very significant increase for the Gaeltacht has been confirmed, and while it is good that cuts to Foras na Gaeilge since 2008 have begun to be reversed, much work remains to be done. We will continue to pressure to provide additional funding to the Foras.
Conradh na Gaeilge has welcomed the €17+ million additional funding announced today by the Government in the south in Budget 2021 for the Irish language and the Gaeltacht. This is the first time since before 2008 that a significant and more equitable increase has been provided, especially for the Gaeltacht. Everyone in the community who has been involved in the efforts to secure this extra funding is to be commended. Conradh na Gaeilge will however continue to campaign for additional funding for Foras na Gaeilge to support the projects included in the investment plan agreed by 80 Irish language and Gaeltacht organisations.
Dr Niall Comer, President of Conradh na Gaeilge said:
“On behalf of Conradh na Gaeilge I would like to commend Minister Catherine Martin and Minister of State Jack Chambers for ensuring a significant increase for Údarás na Gaeltachta in today's budget, an increase which will be of benefit to the Gaeltacht community. I recognise that the cuts made to Foras na Gaeilge’s funding since 2008 are now being addressed but much work remains so the various projects and organisations who work with Foras na Gaeilge can benefit from funding increases. The Irish language community in particular should be recognised for its huge effort to ensure equality and appropriate and sufficient funding. Without this continued effort and the support of all political parties it is unlikely such an increase could have been achieved.”
Julian de Spáinn, General Secretary of Conradh na Gaeilge said:
“The funding announced today has been achieved as a result of a strong organised community campaign since the 2016 general election. It is good that additional funding has been secured for language planning both within and outside the Gaeltacht, that Údarás na Gaeltachta will have a capital budget of €14.5 million to create employment in the Gaeltacht in 2021, that TG4 will have an additional €3.5 million to develop the station and other measures included in the budget announced today.
Politicians from all parties were pressured to stop the cuts that continued until 2016 and to provide significant additional funding to fund the Investment Plan agreed by 80 Irish language and Gaeltacht groups. We are now calling on Foras na Gaeilge and Údarás na Gaeltachta to fund the projects and schemes included in the plan, especially in the case of the Irish Language Community Scheme (A Scéim Phobal Gaeilge).”
