Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 April 2026
308. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the amount of funding provided to an organisation (details supplied) by his Department in 2025; if he will list the sources of all funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27711/26]
View answerComhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta was established in 2004 to develop, manage and provide high-quality early years services through the medium of Irish throughout the Gaeltacht. The organisation plays a central role in the implementation of the Gaeltacht Education Policy and in language planning at a community level. The organisation currently provides over 137 services, serving over 2,100 children, with the support of over 250 staff across all Gaeltacht areas.
Significant growth since the organisation was founded reflects strong community confidence and continued demand for early years services through the medium of Irish. Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta's quality of education has also been regularly recognised in positive inspection reports from the Department of Education.
My Department approved funding of up to €3,734,500 for the organisation for the three years from 2023-2026 from its Language Planning budget. This funding ensures that the organisation is in a position to implement the plans and targets set out in its strategic plan. The organisation also receives its core funding for the day to day operation of the services under it's remit through the Early Childhood Care and Education Programme (ECCE) and the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) funded by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. I understand that the Deputy has submitted a similar question to that Department and that details regarding that funding will be provided in the reply to same.
Údarás na Gaeltachta also provides annual operational funding of €630,000 to Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta. Of this, €150,000 helps to subsidise services which would not otherwise be viable while the remaining €480,000 covers certain operational costs incurred by the organisation.
