Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 March 2026
521. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the steps being taken to promote the Irish language in the Kerry Gaeltacht, Corca Dhuibhne, Dingle Peninsula and Uíbh Ráthaigh, Iveragh Peninsula; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23302/26]
View answerThe Gaeltacht Act 2012 provides the statutory framework for undertaking the language planning process on a coordinated basis. The public, the voluntary sector, the public sector and the private sector work together to support the Irish language in the various geographical areas as recognised under the Act. The language is supported as the community and family language of the Gaeltacht and of other areas outside of the Gaeltacht through the preparation and implementation of language plans at community level. The purpose of the language plans is the strengthening of language usage in the context of family, community, education social, business and public affairs.
The following sets out the language planning criteria set out under the Gaeltacht Act:
the education system, including early education services;
childcare, pre-school and family support services, including language support services;
services for young people and other age groups;
learning opportunities outside of the education system;
the business sector;
community organisations and cooperatives;
the media;
public services;
physical planning and development;
social and recreational services; and
use of Irish in the community, the community's attitude towards it and how much the community in general supports the language plan.
Elements of the language planning process are being implemented under the Gaeltacht Act, 2012 in Co. Kerry. Two Language Planning Areas, Ciarraí Thiar and Ciarraí Theas, are implementing language plans in the county. Annual funding of €180,000 is provided for the implementation of the Ciarraí Thiar plan, in addition to €120,000 annually for the Ciarraí Theas plan.
In addition, the following annual funding is being provided for the implementation of Gaeltacht Service Town plans in Kerry:
• €120,000 for Daingean Uí Chúis and
• €96,000 each for the towns of Tralee and Cahersiveen.
In tandem with the Language Planning Process, my Department provides funding to a number of Irish Language organisations - Tuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta, Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta, Muintearas Teo. and Ealaín na Gaeltachta - delivering language-related services in the Kerry Gaeltacht. Language Planning Officers employed in the prescribed Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas and Gaeltacht Service Towns work in conjunction with these organisations to further implement and develop the approved language plans and the organisations' work programmes.
There is also a range of current schemes funded by my Department in all of the Gaeltacht areas to support the language planning process. The Department’s long-standing schemes such as the Language Assistants Scheme, the Summer Camps Scheme and the Gaelic Games Programme are all available in the Kerry Gaeltacht. In addition, current funding is provided to Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne to carry out an agreed programme of work for the benefit of the Gaeltacht community in the region.
Finally, capital funding is also available under the Department's Community and Language Support Programme for Irish language and Gaeltacht community organisations to provide community and language, while Údarás na Gaeltachta supports the employment of nearly 10,000 people in its network of client companies.
