Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 July 2025
937. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht for a progress report in regard to an urgent matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37713/25]
View answerFunding of €15,000 was approved in June 2022 to enable Nascadh Uíbh Ráthaigh to prepare a language plan for the area of Uíbh Ráthaigh that lies outside the official Gaeltacht boundaries and outside of the Gaeltacht Service Town of Cahersiveen. Funding was approved to prepare a plan on an exceptional basis, taking into account the specific circumstances of the area.
Foras na Gaeilge is responsible under the Gaeltacht Act 2012 for supporting organisations that are preparing and implementing language plans outside the Gaeltacht. I recognise the efforts being made within the Uíbh Ráthaigh area to strengthen and promote the language within the community. I therefore asked Foras na Gaeilge to contact Nascadh Uíbh Ráthaigh to discuss possible supports for the organisation’s work.
I understand from Foras na Gaeilge that a meeting was held between Foras na Gaeilge's language planning unit and representatives from Nascadh Uíbh Ráthaigh during Oireachtas na Samhna in Killarney in November 2024. Various issues relating to language planning and the promotion of the Irish language were raised at that meeting and Nascadh Uíbh Ráthaigh was asked to provide further information regarding its current activities in the area.
Following on from discussions between Foras and my own Department on 10 December 2024, Foras na Gaeilge wrote to the Uíbh Ráthaigh co-operative outlining the timeline for applying for the Irish Language Networks Development Scheme, which could be applied for as an initial step towards the area being recognised as an Irish Language Network. Details were also provided regarding other relevant Foras na Gaeilge support schemes and they were informed that they could, if necessary, avail of support from the Foras na Gaeilge language planning co-ordinator to assist them in their efforts.
