20-YEAR STRATEGY FOR THE IRISH LANGUAGE 2010 – 2030

Government of Ireland 20-YEAR STRATEGY FOR THE IRISH LANGUAGE 2010 – 2030

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

1. The Vision ...... 3

2. Policy Context ...... 4

3. A Phased Strategy ...... 8

4. Specific Objectives...... 9

5. Implementation Structures...... 10

6. Areas for action:...... 11

6.1 Education...... 11

6.2 The Gaeltacht...... 19

6.3 Family Transmission of the Language – Early Intervention...... 21

6.4 Administration, Services and Community...... 23

6.5 Media and Technology ...... 26

6.6 Dictionaries...... 28

6.7 Legislation and Status...... 29

6.8 Economic Life...... 29

6.9 Cross-cutting Initiatives...... 30

2 20-YEAR STRATEGY FOR THE IRISH LANGUAGE 2010 – 2030

1. THE VISION

Despite centuries of language shift from Irish to The Government recognises the tremendous English, the Irish language continues to survive advantage to its citizens of fluency in English, as a living community language in some the most widely used language in international traditional Gaeltacht heartlands and it is also in affairs. The Government commits to ensuring use on a daily basis by many people outside the that this advantage is retained through the Gaeltacht. development of a bilingual society, where as many people as possible can use Irish and The last hundred years has also seen a flowering English with equal ease and facility. However, of literature and other art forms through the the Government also recognises that the focus medium of Irish, such that Irish is now a fully- of policy in the Gaeltacht needs to be on fledged modern European language. maintaining the linguistic identity of the community in the Gaeltacht as a distinctive The objective of Government policy in relation language region, rather than one of to Irish is to increase on an incremental basis the bilingualism. use and knowledge of Irish as a community language. Specifically, the Government’s aim is While strengthening the position of the to ensure that as many citizens as possible are language within our education system is a key bilingual in both Irish and English. It is an focus of this Strategy, the transmission of Irish as integral component of the Government’s Irish a living language within the family and language policy that close attention be given to between the generations is critically important. its place in the Gaeltacht, particularly in light of Our overall approach is to create a supportive research which indicates that the language’s framework and the opportunities in which Irish viability as a household and community can be passed on in a natural way within language in the Gaeltacht is under threat. households and communities. This is of special importance in the context of the Gaeltacht. The aim of Government policy is also to: The future of the language depends on people • increase the number of families throughout who make a positive choice to embrace the the country who use Irish as the daily opportunities that this Strategy will create. This language of communication; is the challenge for all of us.

• provide linguistic support for the Gaeltacht as an Irish-speaking community and to recognise the issues which arise in areas where Irish is the household and community language;

• ensure that in public discourse and in public services the use of Irish or English will be, as far as practical, a choice for the citizen to make and that over time more and more people throughout the State will choose to do their business in Irish; and

• ensure that Irish becomes more visible in our society, both as a spoken language by our citizens and also in areas such as signage and literature.

Irish is part of the culture and heritage of Northern Ireland and the promotion and protection of the language there is also a priority for the Government.

3 20-YEAR STRATEGY FOR THE IRISH LANGUAGE 2010 – 2030

2. POLICY CONTEXT

Article 8 of the Constitution of Ireland states Objective 6: A high standard of all-Irish that: education will be provided to school students whose parents/guardians so wish. “The Irish language as the national Gaelscoileanna will continue to be supported language is the first official language.” at primary level and all-Irish provision at post- primary level will be developed to meet This 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language is follow-on demand. built on the foundation of the Constitutional status of the language and follows on the Objective 7: Irish language pre-school Government Statement on the Irish Language1 education will continue to be supported and published in December 2006. That Statement third-level education through Irish will be affirmed the Government’s support for the further developed. development and preservation of the Irish language and the Gaeltacht and set out 13 Objective 8: The State will continue to policy objectives to that end: support Foras na Gaeilge in the context of the British-Irish Agreement Act 1999. Objective 1: The special status given to the Irish language in the Constitution and in Objective 9: High quality broadcast services legislation such as the Official Languages Act through the medium of Irish will be ensured, 2003, the Education Act 1998, the Planning especially through the continuous and Development Act 2000 and the development of RTÉ, Raidió na Gaeltachta Broadcasting Act 20012, will be upheld. and TG4.

Objective 2: The Official Languages Act will Objective 10: Every assistance and support will be fully implemented. The right of the public be given to the European Union in to use Irish in dealings with the State and implementing the decision to make Irish a with other bodies will be developed and the working and official language in the EU from appropriate arrangements to deliver this will 1 January 2007. be put in place. Objective 11: In order to promote Irish Objective 3: The Irish language community nationally and to preserve and strengthen it inside and outside the Gaeltacht will be given in the Gaeltacht, the work being done by the encouragement and support to transmit Irish Department of Community, Equality and to the next generation as a living household Gaeltacht Affairs and by agencies and bodies language. Towards this end, a wide range of which come under its aegis will continue to services in Irish will be provided. be reinforced.

Objective 4: The Gaeltacht will be given Objective 12: The use of the Irish language by special support as an Irish-speaking area. An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces will be continued and developed. Objective 5: Irish will be taught as an obligatory subject from primary to Leaving Objective 13: The Government recognises the Certificate level. The curriculum will foster vital role of the Irish language voluntary oral and written competence in Irish among sector and will continue to support it. students and an understanding of its value to us as a people. This will be supported by It is also an objective of Government to support enhanced investment in professional the promotion and teaching of Irish abroad, development and ongoing support for through the Department of Foreign Affairs and teachers, as well as in provision of textbooks the Department of Community, Equality and and resources, and support for innovative Gaeltacht Affairs. Particular emphasis has been approaches to teaching and learning. placed on supporting the teaching of Irish in third-level colleges in a range of different countries.

1. http://www.pobail.ie/en/IrishLanguage/StatementontheIrishLanguage2006/ 2. Now the Broadcasting Act 2009

4 20-YEAR STRATEGY FOR THE IRISH LANGUAGE 2010 – 2030

In broad terms, therefore, the elements that This Strategy is underpinned by an analysis3 of make up the modern-day context for the Irish the situation facing the Irish language, language include the following: undertaken on behalf of the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs by a • Ireland is a bilingual State in which Irish is the team of international consultants with expertise first official language in accordance with on language issues, led by Fiontar, DCU. In article 8 of the Constitution of Ireland; relation to the Gaeltacht, the approach in this Strategy has been informed by • In the context of our European heritage, Irish recommendations in the Comprehensive is the oldest spoken literary language in Linguistic Study of the Use of Irish in the Europe; Gaeltacht4, undertaken on behalf of the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht • According to the 2006 Census of Population, Affairs by Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, 42% of the population of Ireland have a NUI Galway. certain ability to speak Irish - that equates to some 1.66 million people aged 3 years or The Strategy has also been supported by a study more out of a total resident population of undertaken by Fr. Micheál Mac Gréil and Fergal some 4.2 million; Rhatigan of the Department of Sociology NUI Maynooth on Attitudes towards Competence in • Irish is the main community and household and Use of the Irish Language 2007-2008. The language of 3% of the country’s population; study results show that positive attitudes and aspirations for Irish have been maintained at • According to surveys and opinion polls, most very high levels since the author’s previous of the population believes that Irish is of studies in 1973 (Prejudice and Tolerance In particular importance for themselves Ireland) and 1996 (Prejudice in Ireland personally and/or for the country as a whole; Revisited). The results show overwhelming and support for preservation of Irish: 52.5% want Irish preserved in the Gaeltacht and revived for • Irish was afforded official and working use in arts and culture outside, while 40.9% language status at EU level with effect from 1 want Irish revived and used for public purposes January 2007. throughout the State. This Strategy seeks to build on the foregoing context and objectives by setting out a series of International Perspectives areas for action to benefit the language and the Gaeltacht over the next 20 years. The The value of linguistic diversity is recognised Government believes that the Irish language is internationally. Languages are humankind’s of particular importance for the people, society principal tools for interacting and for expressing and culture of Ireland. As a spoken community ideas, emotions, knowledge, memories and language, Irish is unique to this country and is, values. Languages are also primary vehicles of therefore, of crucial importance to the identity cultural expression and intangible cultural of the Irish people and to world heritage. In this heritage, essential to the identity of individuals context, particular importance is attached to the and groups. The key role of language in the preservation and promotion of Irish in the expression and transmission of cultural heritage Gaeltacht in relation to conserving and is recognised in the 2003 UN Convention for the protecting the heritage, culture and richness of Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural the language where it remains as a household Heritage.5 and community language. It is also recognised that the Strategy’s objective of widening the use of the language nationwide is conferred with greater authority by the Irish language’s status as a community language in the Gaeltacht.

3. http://www.pobail.ie/en/IrishLanguage/ 4. http://www.pobail.ie/en/AnGhaeltacht/LinguisticStudyoftheGaeltacht/ 5. http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/index.php?lg=en&pg=00006

5 20-YEAR STRATEGY FOR THE IRISH LANGUAGE 2010 – 2030

Safeguarding languages such as Irish is thus a The 2003 UN Convention for the Safeguarding crucial task in maintaining cultural diversity of the Intangible Cultural Heritage8 recognises worldwide. UNESCO6 reports that half of the the vital role of language in the expression and 6,700 languages spoken today are in danger of transmission of living heritage. All intangible disappearing before the century ends, a process cultural heritage depends on language for its that can be slowed only if urgent action is taken day-to-day vitality and for being passed on to by Governments and speaker communities. the next generation. In relation to oral UNESCO’s Endangered Languages Programme traditions, whether it be song, poetry or mobilises international cooperation to focus folklore, language is not only the vehicle that attention on this grave situation and to contains the cultural heritage, it is its very promote innovative solutions from essence. As well as analysing the situation of communities, experts and authorities. The most languages under pressure the world over, recent edition of UNESCO’s Atlas of the World’s UNESCO has developed a framework for Languages in Danger7 classified Irish as determining the vitality of a language in order “definitely endangered”. This status has since to assist Governments and others in policy been improved to “vulnerable”, in the light of development, identification of needs and information about the measures taken by appropriate safeguarding measures. This Government to support the language in recent framework9 based on the following nine criteria years. has also informed the development of this Strategy:

Intergenerational Absolute number language transmission of speakers

Community members’ attitudes towards their own language Proportion of speakers within the total population Language Shifts in domains Availability of materials Vitality of language use for language education and literacy

Governmental and Response to new institutional language attitudes domains and media and policies, including official Type and quality status and use of documentation

6. http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/index.php?pg=00136 7. http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/index.php?pg=00136 8. http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=17716&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html 9. http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/index.php?lg=en&pg=00142

6 20-YEAR STRATEGY FOR THE IRISH LANGUAGE 2010 – 2030

The Government’s Strategy as set out in this As already stated, Irish is part of the culture and document is organised around: heritage of Northern Ireland and the promotion and protection of the language there is a • increasing the knowledge of Irish; priority for the Government.

• creating opportunities for the use of Irish; In the context of the Government’s continuing and commitment to the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, it will continue to • fostering positive attitudes towards its use. support Foras na Gaeilge, an agency of the North/South implementation body charged with We know from the situation that faces Irish that promoting the language on an all-island basis, language use does not follow automatically and to ensure its continued effective operation. from ability to speak the language. Actual The Government’s Strategy will have a language use results from the co-presence of beneficial impact on speakers of the Irish ability, opportunity, and positive attitudes. This language in Northern Ireland. The Government Strategy seeks, therefore, to create positive will also continue to press for the full circumstances for greater use by our people of implementation of commitments relating to the the language ability that they have and for a Irish language, which fall to the British real increase in that ability over time. Government and the Northern Ireland Executive, including the introduction of an Irish The Strategy demonstrates the Government’s Language Act and the enhancement, protection support for the development and preservation and development of the Irish language in of the Irish language by a long-term Northern Ireland. commitment to a coherent and comprehensive approach to the future of the language as a living, spoken language with a firm position in the education system, at the highest levels of the political system, in public administration and in the Gaeltacht.

7 20-YEAR STRATEGY FOR THE IRISH LANGUAGE 2010 – 2030

3. A PHASED STRATEGY

As already referred to, the Government Implementation Phase III: Consolidating Statement on the Irish Language 2006 identified The consolidation phase will be directed key policy objectives through which support for towards mainstreaming all measures. It will Irish and the Gaeltacht will be advanced. The build on the increased abilities in Irish among areas for action set out below are associated our people, expanded opportunities to use and grouped in relation to those objectives and Irish and the active encouragement of will be addressed in phases as follows: positive attitudes towards Irish achieved in previous phases. Establishment Phase The initial phase will be devoted to the The provision of appropriate resources and communication of the goals and content of support will be crucial to the implementation of the Strategy and setting up the required the Strategy. Provision will be overseen by the organisational and operational structures. In Department of Community, Equality and addition, the overall resources required will Gaeltacht Affairs and functions will be allocated be allocated and the ongoing monitoring, to an existing agency (or agencies), or sourced evaluation and modification procedures will from the private sector, as appropriate. be agreed and established. Operational plans will be requested and received from all Arrangements will be put in place to: implementing public agencies. Key priority measures will be established. • monitor, support and adapt practical language planning activities from other Implementation Phase I - Laying the societies; Foundations During the first years of the Strategy, long- • initiate, survey and review materials which term measures will be put in place so that the facilitate the use of Irish; supply of qualified teachers and other specialists are available, or the systems for • host a central database of Irish medium their preparation are in place, early in the materials, templates and IT applications; Strategy. In addition, a considerable number of measures will be fully implemented or • prepare guides and materials to assist commenced in this phase, including the individuals and voluntary organisations to preparation of materials for language promote Irish; education and literacy. • provide a national public helpline; Implementation Phase II - Expanding and Deepening • put in place a national information centre This phase can be seen as having three sub- and clearing house for translation services phases, but overall it involves: and other language-related services; implementation of relevant measures; undertaking of rolling evaluations; and • hold a national database of good practice conducting of campaigns for promotion and activities in language planning; fostering of positive attitudes to the language. The first graduates of revised • help develop supports for local area initiatives teacher education programmes will be and the capacity to develop and manage such produced and these will be deployed to initiatives; and schools and other education institutions. • promote the development of language During this phase, Ireland will celebrate the management systems in a variety of contexts. 100th anniversaries of the Easter Rising and of our independence and these occasions will Many of the priorities for action in this Strategy be linked to this Strategy, showcasing results depend on the availability of such supports and attained, undertaking a major review of resources and their organisation is, therefore, a outcomes, and mobilising public involvement high priority for early attention. and support around the goals, spirit and vision of the Strategy.

8 20-YEAR STRATEGY FOR THE IRISH LANGUAGE 2010 – 2030

4. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF THE STRATEGY

Following on from the Government Statement The specific objectives involved in the on the Irish Language 2006, the headline goal preparation of the Strategy are to: has been set of increasing over 20 years: • increase the number of speakers who speak • the number of people with a knowledge of Irish on a daily basis outside the education Irish from the current 1.66 million to 2 system from 83,000 to 250,000; million; and • increase the number of speakers who speak • the number of daily speakers of Irish from the Irish on a daily basis in the Gaeltacht by 25% current level of approximately 83,000 to in overall terms as its invigoration will be 250,000. critical to the overall Strategy. It is envisaged that specific targets for individual Gaeltacht The achievement of these ambitious goals has areas will be set out in the proposed local been the overriding consideration in language plans; and formulating the decisions on areas for action in this Strategy. • increase the number of people that use State services through the Irish language and can access television, radio and print media through the language.

9 20-YEAR STRATEGY FOR THE IRISH LANGUAGE 2010 – 2030

5. IMPLEMENTATION STRUCTURES

The 20-Year Strategy will be integrated across • ensuring cross-departmental implementation the routine operations of the agencies of the of initiatives; State, with strong Government direction and leadership. All sections of public administration • providing expert advice; and key national and local stakeholders have a • overseeing operational plans as developed by role to play in its implementation. the implementation bodies; and “Normalisation” of the language is required in order to expand the use of Irish. This term draws • publishing updates and relevant on the experience of other languages whose documentation for public information. roles have diminished. Irish will only attain a more secure social position through a campaign A small number of seconded staff with expertise of active awareness and positive attitudes aimed in public administration management, language at reversing its marginalisation, as well as planning and education may be assigned to the greater unself-conscious use of the language for Unit for specific tasks, if necessary. Evaluations, mainstream and routine purposes of as required, or specific services may be communication. This task requires that all commissioned by the Unit from existing relevant agencies co-operate in pursuing the agencies or from the private sector. Sectoral goals and programmes of the Strategy and that plans and commitments will be delivered a coherent and effective management structure through relevant Departments and agencies. be in place for the Strategy. It also requires a focus on developing expertise and skills among With regard to the main implementation the teaching profession - given the critical agency to be responsible for delivering the importance of the school in influencing Strategy, it is proposed to establish an Irish language awareness and behaviour - as well as Language and Gaeltacht Authority (Údarás na in the wider society, in highlighting the cultural Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta) that will function value and importance of Irish to the Irish people. on a national basis, incorporating relevant functions currently performed by Údarás na The following will be the key Government Gaeltachta, and other State and non- structures to deliver the Strategy: Governmental organisations, as appropriate. While the implementation of certain Gaeltacht • The Cabinet Committee on Irish and the policies and plans will continue to be the Gaeltacht, chaired by An Taoiseach, will responsibility of the Department of Community, maintain oversight of progress and report to Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs, it may, however, Government as necessary. devolve functions to the Irish Language and • A Senior Officials Group made up of high- Gaeltacht Authority, as appropriate. The level officials from relevant Departments will specific role and functions of the proposed new support the Cabinet Committee. Authority will be set down in draft legislation, to be published in 2011. • There will continue to be a senior Minister and a Government Department (the Foras na Gaeilge will continue to deliver on its Department of Community, Equality and statutory responsibilities in relation to Irish. Gaeltacht Affairs) with central responsibility These include undertaking supportive projects for Irish language affairs. and grant-aiding bodies and groups to support the language as appropriate, developing Planning and implementation of the Strategy terminologies and dictionaries, supporting Irish- will be directed from a Strategy Unit within that medium education and the teaching of the Irish Department, with dedicated staff and the language on the island of Ireland, and generally function of assigning duties and facilitating and encouraging the use of the implementation roles to implementation language in public and private life. In fully agencies, as necessary. carrying out its remit, Foras na Gaeilge will remain a key element of the support structure The Strategy Unit will be responsible for: for the language in both parts of the island.

• overseeing the strategic planning process;

• monitoring the development of resources;

10 20-YEAR STRATEGY FOR THE IRISH LANGUAGE 2010 – 2030

6. AREAS FOR ACTION

The Strategy sets out areas of action under nine students at junior cycle. Steps have been key headings: taken in the interim to increase the marks available for the voluntary oral at junior cycle • Education and the national oral in the Leaving Certificate to 40% for all new entrants who • The Gaeltacht began second-level schooling in 2007/8.

• Family Transmission of the Language - Early While the foregoing facts indicate the scale of Intervention the challenge, the actions proposed in the area of education are designed to achieve the • Administration, Services and Community underlying principles of the Strategy to:

• Media and Technology • enhance and extend ability in Irish more deeply and among larger numbers of people; • Dictionaries • reverse negative attitudes towards Irish • Legislation and Status language usage and foster positive attitudes in their place; and • Economic Life • expand the available opportunities for use of • Cross-cutting Initiatives Irish within the education system by extending Irish as a medium of instruction, as well as a subject, and by linking school language learning to the informal use of Irish 6.1 AREAS FOR ACTION - EDUCATION in recreational, cultural and other out-of- school activities. Recent reports in regard to Irish in schools indicate the following: The Government Statement on the Irish Language 2006 contains three education objectives: • Inspectors judged that Irish was taught to a good or very good standard in only half of Objective 5: Irish will be taught as an obligatory the primary classrooms inspected, and that in subject from primary to Leaving Certificate a third of classrooms, Irish was taught level. The curriculum will foster oral and through the medium of English. Pupils in just written competence in Irish among students and over half of lessons were able to express an understanding of its value to us as a people. themselves satisfactorily in Irish; This will be supported by enhanced investment in professional development and ongoing • The Harris report (July 2007) indicated that in support for teachers, as well as in provision of English medium and Gaeltacht primary textbooks and resources, and in support for schools, there was a fall of 36.1% and 40.5% innovative approaches to teaching and learning. respectively in the numbers of pupils achieving mastery in the development of Objective 6: A high standard of all-Irish listening, vocabulary and comprehension skills education will be provided to school students between 1985 and 2002. While a little over whose parents/guardians so wish. half of pupils mastered fluency of oral Gaelscoileanna will continue to be supported at description and communication in 1985 in primary level and all-Irish provision at post- English medium schools, less than one third primary level will be developed to meet follow- mastered them in 2002. The study also found on demand. a marked decline in teachers’ confidence, with almost 25% of teachers in English Objective 7: Irish language pre-school education medium schools rating their own standards of will continue to be supported and third-level spoken Irish as weak; education through Irish will be further developed. • At post-primary level, reports on a third of schools refer to limited oral ability among

11 20-YEAR STRATEGY FOR THE IRISH LANGUAGE 2010 – 2030

Links to out-of-school usage Partial Immersion

The education system is one of the critical From as early as possible in Implementation engines for generating the linguistic ability on Phase II, it is proposed to move towards a which this 20-Year Strategy is premised. In situation where partial Irish language formal schooling, the State can actively assist immersion will be offered to all children. This the development of the linguistic capabilities of will be implemented on a phased basis in line our population. The achievement by the with the progress made in strengthening education authorities of a more systematic and teachers’ competences in this area through a intensive national focus on the universal comprehensive investment programme of learning of Irish is therefore a central goal. professional development for teachers. This could be delivered through the teaching of The critical need to give life to the Irish some mainstream subject matter in Irish in the language outside the classroom for the young infant classes, and be complemented by the people who study it in the formal education preparation in Phase II of designated subject system is a widespread conclusion of language areas to be taught through Irish in the middle revitalisation efforts throughout the world. and upper years in primary schools. Ultimately, Fostering the creation of youth culture and the aim will be that by Implementation Phase III, identity, and their appropriate Irish language all students in mainstream schools undertaking forms, involves providing opportunities for its the Irish language as a core subject will be natural use and creating ICT mediated networks offered the experience of partial immersion of speakers. The education sector will work in education in other subjects. These measures will partnership with relevant agencies in this be achieved on a phased basis, supported by regard. investment in the upskilling of teachers. Use will be made, as appropriate, of incentives such The Department of Community, Equality and as the GLEO (Gaeilge Labhartha san Earnáil Gaeltacht Affairs, in cooperation with the Oideachais) award scheme to encourage schools Department of Education and Skills, will in this area. The strategy will be supported by continue to progress the development of the the development and provision of resources and Irish summer college system in the Gaeltacht. materials for schools. Particular emphasis will be placed on assisting the colleges and the householders that provide It will continue to be national policy to promote accommodation for language learners to immersion education through Irish in all subjects maintain and increase the effectiveness and other than English in Gaeltacht and Irish- standard of the services provided. In medium schools (gaelscoileanna) and pre- partnership with CONCOS - the umbrella schools (naíonraí). organisation for the colleges - and the households in the Gaeltacht, the Department of National Assessment Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs will work to ensure an Irish-speaking experience National assessment of aural and oral throughout, where students will come into competence in Irish will be implemented at both contact with Irish as a living spoken language in junior cycle and senior cycle level for all everyday life. In this regard, the Department of recognised second-level schools. It is recognised Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs will that oral assessment at junior cycle can only assist with the development of a family realistically be achieved in the context of a language learning experience so that networks model of local assessment by class teachers with of natural use of Irish can be promoted, with external moderation. Standardised test mechanisms for their continuation throughout instruments at primary level are being the year. Programmes targeted at trainee developed at present in Irish. primary teachers will benefit from being restructured and enhanced, and this will form Innovations in curriculum require the part of wider reforms that the Teaching Council development of appropriate instruments and will be promoting in initial education courses procedures for the assessment of learning Irish. for primary teachers. A beneficial linkage can be made with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL) for defining the linguistic and communicative standards that the assessment procedures will verify. 12 20-YEAR STRATEGY FOR THE IRISH LANGUAGE 2010 – 2030

Curriculum for teaching of Irish Pre-school and parental support programmes At primary level, the curriculum is relatively new and there would appear to be consensus that it Pre-school and non-formal learning are is in keeping with good practice and current important dimensions of Irish language thinking on language teaching. In this context, revitalisation. All the research in this area has there will be greater focus on more explicit shown that it is easiest to acquire a new articulation of the linguistic objectives at the language in the earliest years. As such, it is various levels of primary schooling and the intended that some level of pre-school Irish development of high-quality materials to language education will be offered in all support the implementation of the curriculum. localities.

At primary level, a separate Irish curriculum for Childcare and pre-school facilities will be Gaeltacht schools and gaelscoileanna has been facilitated to offer an Irish language dimension developed which takes into account the and create a language-friendly environment for different developmental language requirements children, for example, through provision of of students in English and Irish-medium schools. supports such as Irish language DVDs geared for The curriculum in Irish-medium schools will be young children, and teaching of nursery rhymes adjusted to provide for a strengthened and games in Irish. The focus, in particular, is to emphasis on the role of Irish in promoting ensure that there is Irish-medium pre-school children's cognitive and affective development provision (naíonraí) in every area where there is generally. an Irish-medium primary school, and in other areas where there is a demand. At post-primary level, differentiation will continue to be provided by offering Irish at Parents need to receive active reinforcement of three levels in the Junior and Leaving their Irish literacy so that they are able to Certificates and there will be a strong emphasis continue to support their children’s increasing on fostering oral, aural and written competence learning in Irish in the primary school years. in Irish, and on ensuring a significant shift in Such training is important for other education emphasis towards Irish as a spoken language, and care-giving professionals and will be where students can communicate and interact extended to day care workers, crèche workers in a spontaneous way, and where Irish is spoken and members of community associations, every day in schools. especially in areas where a moderate percentage of the population are Irish speakers. A revised syllabus in Leaving Certificate Irish is being implemented in all schools for initial examination in 2012 and is designed to provide Specialist Subject Provision for increased oral interaction in the classroom and to allow for an increase to 40% in the Services in recreational education (such as visual marks for oral assessment. The National Council and performing arts) outside the formal for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) will curriculum of schools will be included in local undertake a review of the implementation of area language plans during primary school the syllabus in the light of the experiences of years. the first cohort of candidates under the revised assessment system. Among the issues to be Teacher Education considered in that review will be the success of the syllabus in addressing appropriately the Generating the teacher force to achieve learning needs of all students, including those objectives regarding competence in the Irish with a high proficiency in Irish, particularly in language is critical, as are links between schools, Gaeltacht and Irish-medium schools. If recreation and youth centres, clubs and necessary, further development of the syllabus activities. In this regard, it is noted that the may be undertaken in the light of the findings Teaching Council, as the statutory body charged of the review. with determining standards for the teaching profession, has responsibility for the review and accreditation of initial teacher education programmes at primary and post-primary level.

13 20-YEAR STRATEGY FOR THE IRISH LANGUAGE 2010 – 2030

The Teaching Council will be consulted with a • An extended Gaeltacht placement will be put view to implementing the two-pronged in place for a significant proportion of trainee approach proposed in this Strategy to prepare teachers in which students will follow a the teaching force to meet the proposed defined programme of language teaching; objectives. To achieve Objective 5 of the Government Statement on the Irish Language • The Irish language and Irish-medium teaching 2006, discussions will be entered into with the components of the Bachelor of Education Teaching Council with a view to working degree course will be bolstered, including the progressively to raise the standard of Irish provision of intensive Irish courses as language competency for teaching the subject appropriate in consultation with the Teaching of Irish. Specific initiatives are proposed which Council; and include the following: • A new specialisation in Irish-medium primary teaching (partial or total immersion) will be Mainstream Education – Primary System introduced in Colleges of Education.

In order to ensure that the professional Irish standard (Gaeilge Ghairmiúil) is achieved in all Irish-Medium Education – Primary teacher education colleges, it is envisaged that System the Teaching Council, as part of its aforementioned review, will strengthen and set A post-graduate programme specifically standards for the teaching of professional Irish targeted at the needs of Irish-medium schools across all initial teacher education provision. will be introduced. This new post-graduate programme for a Diploma in Irish Language It is proposed that: Education (Primary Teaching) will provide specialised skills in Irish to those who have • Steps will be taken to encourage the use of already completed a teacher education Irish generally inside and outside the programme. classroom;

• Other subjects of the initial teacher education Irish-Medium Education – Post-Primary programme, in addition to professional Irish, System will be delivered through the medium of Irish; A new Post-Graduate Diploma in Education • In the area of teacher education, student delivered in full through the medium of Irish teachers will follow a defined programme of will be introduced. language teaching in the Gaeltacht. The tuition time and attendance of student To further assist the realisation of Objective 5 teachers who attend Gaeltacht courses will and Objective 6 of the Government Statement also be increased; on the Irish Language 2006, a National Centre for Irish-medium Teacher Professional • A new Gaeltacht scholarship scheme will be Development will be established in an existing introduced for primary teachers to attend educational institution. This will be a centre of intensive courses in the Gaeltacht; excellence, aiding and advising the Colleges of Education in preparing teachers for the entire • Colleges of Education will be encouraged to cycle of Irish-medium schools through put in place initiatives to attract students of consultancy, professional development activities, high ability in Irish from Gaeltacht, Irish- accredited training programmes and resource medium and other schools. Up to 20% of development. The National Centre will work in places in Colleges of Education will be conjunction with the Colleges of Education and retained for students educated through Irish mobility of professional staff between all in Gaeltacht schools and gaelscoileanna, with education providers and systems and the students in English-medium schools also being National Centre will be encouraged. There will eligible, subject to a high performance be a formal qualification available for all threshold in Irish in the Leaving Certificate; primary and secondary school teachers to support them to teach in Irish-medium schools.

14 20-YEAR STRATEGY FOR THE IRISH LANGUAGE 2010 – 2030

This will be an attractive and desirable • There has been significant recent investment additional qualification for those seeking to by the Department of Community, Equality work in Irish-medium schools and a useful and Gaeltacht Affairs and Údarás na indicator for employers that applicants have the Gaeltachta in this sector both inside and necessary linguistic competency. outside the Gaeltacht, including in particular support for Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta The new academic programmes - Batchelor of Gaeilge in NUI Galway and Fiontar in Dublin Education, Graduate Diploma in Education City University; and (Primary Teaching), and Post-Graduate Diploma in Education - as well as the operation of the • There is an existing statutory framework for National Centre for Irish-medium Teacher third level education in Irish, including the Professional Development will be offered for obligation on the Higher Education Authority open public competitive tendering among the (HEA) under the Higher Education Act 1971 relevant existing educational institutions. to: “bear constantly in mind the national aims of restoring the Irish language and preserving The professional development opportunities and developing the national culture and shall identified above will be supplemented by endeavour to promote the attainment of significantly increased investment in the these aims”. This is further strengthened in provision of short cycle and on-line professional section 12 of the Universities Act 1997, which development options for serving teachers provides that the objectives of all universities provided through the curriculum support include “[promotion of] the official languages services and the Education Centre network at of the State, with special regard to the primary and post-primary level. preservation, promotion and use of the Irish language and the preservation and In further support of these measures to promotion of the distinctive cultures of augment the position of the language in the Ireland”. The special role of NUI Galway in education system at all levels, special the provision of third-level programmes recognition will be given to schools where there through the medium of the Irish language is is good practice in teaching Irish. A wide range recognised in the University College Galway of textbooks, new technology materials and (Amendment) Act 2006. resources to support the teaching of Irish and teaching through Irish will be developed and Third-level education through the medium of provided. Irish needs to be of high quality and delivered in a strategic and coordinated way to ensure: A scholarship scheme for children from disadvantaged areas to attend courses in the • opportunities for students to avail of Gaeltacht, as well as funding for Irish summer significant periods of placements/study in the colleges throughout the country, will be Gaeltacht to enrich their command of the provided. language in an environment where it is the normal spoken language; The arrangements for exemption from studying Irish in schools will be reviewed to ensure that • diversification in the range of disciplines exemptions are based on objective language offered, with a particular focus on market criteria. requirements for people competent in Irish;

• an output of highly qualified graduates with Higher-Level Education in Ireland specific skills needed to serve the national and EU status of Irish; University level and non-university adult programmes in Irish will continue to be • development of particular specialisation in supported and developed and professional each college and restriction of duplication of specialisations provided. provision to no more than one or two locations; In furthering the development of third-level education through Irish, the Government will take the following into account:

15 20-YEAR STRATEGY FOR THE IRISH LANGUAGE 2010 – 2030

• value for money and quality assurance in maintenance of Irish. These professional research and teaching, also avoiding groups will be made aware of the vast duplication or fragmentation; and literature supporting the intellectual, speech, and career benefits of bilingualism. Specific • development of courses and accreditation in advice will be offered to support the bilingual Professional Irish for as many professions as needs of children with special needs. possible. • Children whose first language is English and/ Funding will be provided to enable the Higher or children attending English-medium schools. Education Authority to put in place a specific Similarly for such children, school staff programme to strategically develop this sector. concerned with special needs will be provided with information supporting the intellectual, The accessibility of Irish language classes and speech and career benefits of bilingualism - activities and the creation of an atmosphere on and specifically the advantages of learning campus, which recognises that the language is and using Irish. an integral part of college social as well as academic life, is important to normalisation of its • Immigrant children in Ireland. use. Third level institutions have an important Newly-arrived immigrant children in Ireland role in influencing whole of life language choice will also be afforded the opportunity to and use among students and in supporting local participate in all Irish language activities and language initiatives in the wider community and specific attention will be paid to their will be encouraged to do so. language learning needs.

Adult Language Learning Education in the Gaeltacht

Additional opportunities will be afforded to All the above measures apply equally to the adults interested in learning the language or in Gaeltacht. In addition to these, the increasing their ability to speak Irish. An Government acknowledges the specific difficulty accredited adult Irish language learning of accommodating the needs of pupils with programme, catering for all levels, will be diverse linguistic abilities in Gaeltacht schools. recognised as the agreed national Irish This can be complicated further depending on language-learning programme. the status of the Irish language within the school community. It is acknowledged that To foster excellence at a high academic level in teaching resources are a major issue for the study of Irish, the Government will build on Gaeltacht schools, both at primary and second- the work of the Dublin Institute of Advanced level. It may be noted that, with investment by Studies and the universities in the development Foras na Gaeilge and An Chomhairle um of research and teaching of Celtic Studies and Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta strengthen Ireland’s position as a world centre (COGG), there has been a considerable of excellence in this discipline. improvement in the availability of teaching resources in Irish, although there needs to be Advice and Support Services sustained investment in this area. The needs in this area apply also to gaelscoileanna. In Information and resource materials will be addition, there is a critical need to provide produced for various categories of school resources for Irish in English-medium primary professionals such as speech therapists, schools. guidance counsellors, careers advisors and others promoting the benefits of bilingualism At the same time, the Government is fully aware (and especially of Irish language learning). of the importance of the education system in Specific advice will be addressed to the the maintenance of the language in the following groups: Gaeltacht and this objective was encompassed in the Education Act 1998. In addition to those • Children whose first language is Irish and/or initiatives already outlined, the Government has children attending Irish-medium schools. decided to progress a number of actions in the It is important that all professional and para- Gaeltacht as part of this Strategy: professional staff consistently support the

16 20-YEAR STRATEGY FOR THE IRISH LANGUAGE 2010 – 2030

• A review of the Gaeltacht scholarship scheme Gaeltacht Affairs, will examine and implement operated by the Department of Education suitable arrangements for such provision in and Skills will take place with the aim of the varying circumstances of each Gaeltacht increasing its effectiveness as an Irish area; and language support mechanism; • Appropriate structural arrangements will be • Measures will be taken to progress the made, in the context of any review of VEC development of the Irish language education structures nationally, for the provision of all- resource centre in Baile Bhuirne, Co Cork; Irish secondary school education throughout the State, including in the Gaeltacht, and to • A new language acquisition unit at primary ensure that all staff in Irish-medium schools level will be developed in each of the three are capable of carrying out their daily main Gaeltacht regions; business through Irish and that an integrated approach is taken to the provision of back-up, • Provision will also be made for intensive support and advisory services to Irish-medium summer/evening courses in Irish for post- schools so that such services are provided in primary pupils in the Gaeltacht who need Irish where possible. Educational supports additional support; such as Irish language textbooks and audio- visual material will be made available to such • Designated inspectors will continue to be schools. deployed by the Department of Education and Skills for Gaeltacht schools and for gaelscoileanna; Establishment of Schools

• The present approach to Gaeltacht Summer The Education Act 1998 places specific Colleges will be reviewed with a view to more obligations on the system to contribute to the coherent State involvement in the regulation realisation of national policy and objectives in and development of these colleges, increasing relation to Irish, to the maintenance of Irish as the effectiveness and standard of the services the primary community language in Gaeltacht provided, and ensuring an improved and areas, and to promoting the language and more consistent curriculum design process; cultural needs of students having regard to the choices of their parents. • It will continue to be national policy to promote immersion education through Irish The promotion of the Irish language has been in all subjects other than English in Gaeltacht an important aim of successive Irish and Irish-medium schools and in pre-schools Governments and the Department of Education (naíonraí); and Skills has responded to the increased • A review of immersion provision at post- demands for Irish-medium schooling in recent primary level in Irish-medium schools years. At primary level, this is evidenced in the (gaelscoileanna) and in the Gaeltacht will be increased numbers of gaelscoileanna established carried out; outside Gaeltacht areas. Since 2005, a total of 17 new gaelscoileanna have been recognised by • Schemes operated by the Department of the Department to give a total of 138 Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs recognised Irish-medium primary schools. At which support the education system in the post-primary level, the number of gaelcholáistí Gaeltacht (such as supports for Irish language (Irish-medium second-level schools) has grown assistants and other supports in Gaeltacht to 45 (of which 13 have been established since schools, as well as the system of home visits 2000) and this provision is supplemented by 10 for linguistic support purposes) will be aonad (specialised Irish-medium units attached strengthened in consultation with the to an existing second-level school) and 10 sruth Department of Education and Skills; (stream or Irish-speaking class within an English- medium school). Both the aonad and sruth • All Gaeltacht students will continue to have structure facilitate the provision of Irish-medium the opportunity to receive their education education in cases where there is significant through the medium of Irish. The Department demand for education in Irish but where this of Education and Skills, in consultation with demand would be insufficient for an the Department of Community, Equality and independent Irish-medium school.

17 20-YEAR STRATEGY FOR THE IRISH LANGUAGE 2010 – 2030

The population increase over the past ten years appropriately staffed and resourced to carry out or so has resulted in a requirement to provide its existing remit: significant additional school places in some areas of the country and this increase is • to plan and co-ordinate the provision of expected to continue in the short to medium textbooks and aids to learning and teaching term. There are increasing demands for through Irish; diversity of provision of school type, including Irish-medium education, distributed throughout • to advise the Minister on policies relating to the country in areas of both static and growing the provision and promotion of education population. These growing demands have through the medium of Irish in recognised required a revision of the procedures for the schools generally and in schools located in a recognition of new primary schools. Pending Gaeltacht area; the outcome of the review, the Department of Education and Skills has had to adopt an interim • to provide support services to those schools strategy whereby it is only allowing new through the medium of Irish; primary schools to be established to cater for demographic growth in order to deliver on the • to conduct research into any or all of these overall priority that every child has a school matters; and place available to them. The review, which is well advanced, is being undertaken by the • to plan and co-ordinate the provision of Commission on School Accommodation and all textbooks and aids to the learning and the education partners are involved. The teaching of Irish and to conduct research into outcome of the review will result in the and to advise the Minister on strategies which consideration and adoption of new have as their objective the enhancement of arrangements for the recognition of new the effectiveness of the teaching of Irish in primary schools. The demands to extend the recognised schools and centres for education. provision of Irish-medium education at primary level will be considered in the context of the The role of COGG will be strengthened to new arrangements for the recognition of new reflect the need to address various issues schools being put in place. particular to the teaching and learning of Irish in schools operating through the medium of At post-primary level, new arrangements for the Irish, both inside and outside the Gaeltacht and recognition of second-level schools were the teaching of Irish in all recognised schools. established in July 2010. These provide for a COGG will play a strong role in directly advising new framework involving the setting out of Irish-medium schools on best practice in the clear criteria against which new second-level provision of education through the medium of school applications are to be assessed. These Irish. criteria envisage that new schools will only be established where there is demographic With regard to the larger issue of the specific demand and that new schools will typically be in needs of Gaeltacht and Irish-medium schools, a a size range of 800 to 1000 pupils. The criteria high-level group will review existing policies also set out that a lower threshold of 400 will and explore possible changes, including the apply for gaelcholáistí having regard to the development of a new policy for Gaeltacht and alternative of establishing an aonad within a Irish-medium schools. Other possible functions school. for COGG will also be considered in the context of these discussions.

An Chomhairle um Oideachas The high-level group will have representation Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta from relevant stakeholders, including the (COGG) Department of Education and Skills, the Department of Community, Equality and An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaeltacht Affairs, An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaelscolaíochta will play a key role in the Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta, Foras na implementation of the Strategy in the Gaeilge and the new Irish Language and education sector working in collaboration with Gaeltacht Authority. existing agencies. The Council will be

18 20-YEAR STRATEGY FOR THE IRISH LANGUAGE 2010 – 2030

Third-Level Irish Courses Abroad 6.2 AREAS FOR ACTION - THE GAELTACHT In 2006 the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs established a dedicated In its Government Statement on the Irish fund to support the development of Irish Language 2006, the Government affirmed its language courses in third-level institutions policy to strengthen the Gaeltacht as an Irish- overseas. The objectives of the fund are to speaking community and ratified Government promote and foster goodwill for the Irish support for the Gaeltacht. The Statement language and indeed for Ireland and Irish contains three objectives that refer to the culture in general across Europe, North America Gaeltacht: and Canada and to provide a platform from which the Irish language can be assessed and showcased as an international language. This Objective 3: The Irish language community increases awareness of the Irish language and inside and outside the Gaeltacht will be given culture outside of Ireland and leads to links encouragement and support to transmit Irish to between Ireland and the countries in which the next generation as a living household these institutions are located, resulting in language. Towards this end, a wide range of positive long-term impacts on the language. It services in Irish will be provided. also provides an excellent opportunity to present the Irish language to the academic Objective 4: The Gaeltacht will be given special community worldwide and gives the Irish support as an Irish-speaking area. language equal status to other European languages being taught abroad. In addition, Objective 11: In order to promote Irish many students who study Irish in their own nationally and to strengthen it in the Gaeltacht, countries continue their studies here in Ireland the work being done by the Department of and as a consequence students from all over the Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs and world attend courses in the Gaeltacht. This by agencies under its aegis will continue to be results in bonds of friendship and a lifelong reinforced. interest and understanding of the rich language and culture of this country. The 2007 Comprehensive Linguistic Study of the Currently over 30 third-level colleges and Use of Irish in the Gaeltacht recommends that universities in the USA, in European countries the main strategic focus of language policy in and further afield are actively providing Irish the Gaeltacht should be on supporting and language and Celtic Studies’ programmes within empowering future generations of young their own institutions. Gaeltacht parents to raise their children through Irish. The Study reinforces in particular the These measures by the Department of importance of maintaining and increasing the Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs to proportion of active Irish speakers in Gaeltacht support the teaching of Irish overseas (including areas. the joint programme with the Fulbright Commission and the Ireland Canada University It is against this background that the major Foundation) will be maintained as a vehicle to changes outlined in this Strategy are being expand the teaching and learning of Irish in implemented by Government. The universities outside Ireland. development of a comprehensive language planning system at community level in the Gaeltacht is central to the strategy that will be put in place to ensure that Irish survives as the community language in the Gaeltacht.

19 20-YEAR STRATEGY FOR THE IRISH LANGUAGE 2010 – 2030

Linguistic status of Gaeltacht acceptable sustainable plans within the two- communities – new legislation year period will no longer be included in the Gaeltacht. The Government accepts the broad thrust of the recommendations in the Comprehensive Plans will be reviewed every seven years and Linguistic Study of the Use of Irish in the areas that do not achieve the linguistic criteria Gaeltacht with regard to Gaeltacht status being for the Gaeltacht set down in the new Act will based on linguistic criteria. This will be given cease to have Gaeltacht status. New areas may statutory status through a new Gaeltacht Act. also be included in the Gaeltacht if they meet The legal definition will be broadly based on the linguistic criteria laid down in the new Act. the criteria outlined in the Study with some fundamental modifications. Language Planning in the Gaeltacht

As already referred to, an Irish Language and Under the new Act, a language planning Gaeltacht Authority with responsibility for Irish process will be instigated whereby a language language matters throughout the State will be plan will be prepared at community level for established. Its headquarters will be in the each Gaeltacht district. These plans will Gaeltacht and it will assume responsibility for integrate the approach in relation to linguistic relevant functions currently performed by issues, education, physical planning, and social Údarás na Gaeltachta, as well as other State and and community development. Community non-Governmental organisations, as co-operation and participation will be critical. appropriate. Legislation will be prepared in Resources will be made available to implement 2011 for the establishment of this Authority. the language plans. Regard will be had to both its Gaeltacht and wider national remit. The need for expertise in These plans will be first and foremost language- the area of minority language planning will also centred, incorporating all aspects of community be addressed when establishing its governing life in these districts. In order to address the structure. The new authority, Údarás na Gaeilge threat to the sustainability of the Gaeltacht as a agus na Gaeltachta, will retain the functions linguistic entity, priority will be given to currently carried out by Údarás na Gaeltachta, language planning activities necessary to including an enterprise function. stabilise the position of Irish as the community language. These language plans will comprise For language planning and implementation activities/plans under the following headings: purposes, the various types of language maintenance and strategic interventions • Education Planning; (including integrated language plans) will be based on the identified linguistic needs of the • Family Support Services, including childcare various communities with the intention of services, pre-school services, language increasing the numbers of daily Irish speakers. advisory services for families, after-school services, networks for Irish-speaking parents In the case of majority Irish-speaking and children, pre-marital and ante-natal communities, the emphasis will be on protecting advice services, language awareness and strengthening these strong language programme for families, speech therapy and communities by ensuring the linguistic psychological services, and public health sustainability of Irish as the community services; language of these regions. In the case of other Gaeltacht regions where daily Irish speakers are • Youth Services, including the promotion of a significant minority, the emphasis will be on language awareness among the young in the strengthening the Irish language community Gaeltacht, Gaeltacht Summer Colleges and networks that continue to exist there. camps;

Communities that cannot comply with the • Local Government Services; criteria in the new legislation will be afforded a period of two years to develop plans to ensure • Local and Physical Planning, including that they maintain their status as Gaeltacht infrastructural development, economic communities. Communities who fail to develop development, housing and settlement policy;

20 20-YEAR STRATEGY FOR THE IRISH LANGUAGE 2010 – 2030

• Community Development; Local Government, in co-operation with the Department of Community, Equality and • Planning for economic, industrial and local Gaeltacht Affairs and City and County business development, including the Managers, will aim to develop new shared promotion of language awareness among services with appropriate and specialised business service providers in Gaeltacht expertise for all Gaeltacht areas in the planning districts; arena.

• Development of Cultural/Educational Tourism; Gaeltacht area plans will have the same status as town plans. As well as being approved by • Religious Services; the local authority, Gaeltacht area plans will be approved by the proposed new Irish Language • Care for the elderly; and Gaeltacht Authority to ensure adequate input from the perspective of the sustainability • Care of children with special needs; of the language into the plans.

• Health Services; and Delivery of services to Gaeltacht • Sport. communities

Future State expenditure on the language in the As many non-language services as is practicable Gaeltacht will be determined by reference to its will be delivered in the Gaeltacht by the linguistic impact and particular priority will be Department of Community, Equality and afforded to linguistic supports for families and Gaeltacht Affairs and the Irish Language and young people so as to ensure the continued Gaeltacht Authority, in recognition of their transmission of the language from generation focused ability to deliver services through Irish. to generation.

Particular emphasis will be placed on the promotion of an Irish language youth culture in 6.3 AREAS FOR ACTION – FAMILY the Gaeltacht, which will see further TRANSMISSION OF THE LANGUAGE – development of Gaeltacht youth services and a EARLY INTERVENTION linkage through the Gaeltacht Summer Colleges with national youth organisations. The actions proposed in the area of family The State will also develop a comprehensive set transmission of the language are of critical of supports for Irish-speaking families in the importance. The Government Statement on the Gaeltacht in consultation with parents of young Irish Language 2006 contains the following children and infants, and expectant parents. objective in this area:

Planning and Development in the Objective 3: The Irish language community Gaeltacht inside and outside the Gaeltacht will be given encouragement and support to transmit Irish to the next generation as a living household The Department of Environment, Heritage and language. Towards this end, a wide range of Local Government will prepare extensive services in Irish will be provided. planning guidelines to assist local authorities with regard to the implementation of the Planning and Development Act in the Gaeltacht Language transmission in the family is a crucial so as to ensure the protection of the unique element in the language planning process and a linguistic identity of the Gaeltacht. vital building block in the efforts to increase the number of fluent speakers. In recognition of the need for greater collaboration between national and local Language transmission within the family is government and between various sectors in increasingly being recognised worldwide as one delivering a more integrated efficient service, of the key issues which need to be explored if the Department of Environment, Heritage and 21 20-YEAR STRATEGY FOR THE IRISH LANGUAGE 2010 – 2030

lesser-used languages are to survive. Families • bringing the message of the advantages of where parents speak Irish need advice and bilingualism into the mainstream work of the guidance on how to raise their children as health and social services’ providers who give balanced bilinguals, especially if only one parent advice to new parents. speaks the language. There is considerable experience in other The home, family and neighbourhood - this jurisdictions, including Wales and the Basque stage of daily, informal, oral interaction Country, of supporting families raising children between grandparents, parents and children - is with two languages. Building on experiences in crucial to the maintenance of Irish as a living Ireland, particularly in supporting networks of language. The family is the building block of Irish-speaking families and providing language such transmission. Above all, it is in the family support for children in Gaeltacht schools, and that a deep bond with language and language on international best practice, a range of activities is fostered, shared and fashioned into practical measures will be put in place to personal and social as well as cultural and support the transmission of Irish in the family: linguistic identity. • The Language Assistants’ Scheme operating in Parents may not fully understand the economic, Gaeltacht schools will be extended to all Irish- employment and educational advantages of medium schools; speaking Irish to their children. Therefore, the proposed interventions in this area are partly • Enhanced support for networks of Irish- about encouraging and supporting parents to speaking families will be provided at a local raise their children bilingually, and partly about level; providing factual information and raising awareness of the inherent advantages to the • Programmes to assist grandparents and other child’s development of speaking more than one older people to pass the language on to the language. new generation will be supported;

The aim of State supports in the promotion of • Targeted language learning opportunities will language transmission in the family will be put in place to assist families where only therefore be to: one parent speaks Irish;

• provide advice, guidance and support for • The Gaeltacht Summer Colleges will place families where Irish is spoken in the home; more emphasis on family language learning and experiences so that networks of natural use of Irish can be promoted with mechanisms for • promote a greater understanding of practical their continuation post-Summer College in bilingualism in a family environment. families and among friendship groupings;

In practical terms this will entail: • Awareness of the advantages of bilingualism in the mainstream work of health and social • raising awareness among parents, prospective care professionals that work with young parents and the public at large of the families will be raised; and advantages of bilingualism; • The functions of county childcare committees • supporting the changing of language for the Irish language crèche/playschool patterns of families where one parent speaks sector throughout the State will be Irish, in order to increase the number of discharged in future through the new Irish children who speak both Irish and English in Language and Gaeltacht Authority. the home; and

22 20-YEAR STRATEGY FOR THE IRISH LANGUAGE 2010 – 2030

6.4 AREAS FOR ACTION - • A further category of language community ADMINISTRATION, SERVICES AND will be recognised in the new legislation to COMMUNITY allow for targeted initiatives to develop new language communities/networks outside the Gaeltacht. These will be predominantly in The actions proposed in the area of urban communities that have achieved the administration, services and community are essential critical mass of community and State designed to support achievement of ability, support for the Irish language; opportunity and attitudes conducive to the expansion of Irish. The Government Statement • In recognition of the need for greater on the Irish Language 2006 contains five collaboration between national and local objectives related to these areas: government and between various sectors in delivering a more integrated efficient service, Objective 3: The Irish language community the relevant players will co-operate in aiming inside and outside the Gaeltacht will be given to develop new shared services with encouragement and support to transmit Irish to appropriate and specialised expertise for all the next generation as a living household Gaeltacht areas in the planning arena; and language. Towards this end, a wide range of services in Irish will be provided. • The feasibility of the new Irish Language and Gaeltacht Authority carrying out, on an Objective 8: The State will continue to support agency basis, functions through Irish for other Foras na Gaeilge in the context of the British- public bodies, both inside and outside the Irish Agreement Act 1999. Gaeltacht, will be considered.

Objective 11: In order to promote Irish Measures for Irish in the Public Service nationally and to strengthen it in the Gaeltacht, the work being done by the Department of Language awareness and language training Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs and programmes need to be developed and by agencies under its aegis will continue to be strengthened so that a higher proportion of reinforced. public service staff are truly functional in Irish and can deliver services in Irish to customers Objective 12: The use of the Irish language by who seek them. The Department of Finance An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces will and the Public Appointments Service will devise be continued and developed. appropriate arrangements to increase the cohort of public servants who are functional Objective 13: The Government recognises the bilinguals. These arrangements will be put in vital role of the Irish language voluntary sector place over time, recognising the present and will continue to support it. constraints on public sector recruitment. They will be supported by the development, within the existing overall national qualifications Structural Changes framework, of an independent, standards-based accreditation system for Irish language A number of significant structural changes are competency within the public service. A to take place: National Diploma in Bilingualism and Language Practice will be designed and offered, so as to • New legislation will be introduced for the support the delivery of quality services to the establishment of the new Irish Language and public in both Irish and English. Gaeltacht Authority with national responsibility for Irish language matters The Official Languages Act has adopted the throughout the State; “language scheme” as a core instrument by which bilingual services are to be provided. • Foras na Gaeilge will continue to be Future language schemes will specify the posts supported in providing resources and within an organisation that require an Irish supports to the language on an all-Ireland language competency requirement. level;

23 20-YEAR STRATEGY FOR THE IRISH LANGUAGE 2010 – 2030

Local Language Initiatives and Plans In the long-term, the local action plans will; outside the Gaeltacht • create social conditions that will nurture The Comprehensive Linguistic Study of the Use positive attitudes towards Irish and an of Irish in the Gaeltacht recommended increase in its general use; recognition of distinct types of language communities within the Gaeltacht for which • normalise the use of Irish as a medium of targeted, appropriate language planning social and institutional communication; and interventions would be devised. The Government considers it appropriate that a new • emphasise the close relationship between type of “network Gaeltacht” be recognised in language and attitudes which relate to the new legislation. This category will allow for quality of life issues, the environment and the targeted language planning initiatives to local economy. develop new language communities/networks outside the Gaeltacht. These will be A key role of local Irish language plans will be predominantly in urban communities that have to foster learning and usage opportunities achieved a basic critical mass of community and across schools and between individual schools State support for the Irish language, such as and recreational, trade, library and community childcare facilities through Irish, gaelscoileanna, activities. The Department of Community, second level education through Irish, Irish Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs and the new Irish language youth clubs and other services, Language and Gaeltacht Authority will including mother and toddler groups, Irish undertake an active facilitative role in language religious services, etc. Specific criteria supporting local Irish language-centred activities to be developed for this category will relate to that link school language learning to related public attitudes, language ability, provision of fields of cultural, recreational, trade and Irish-medium education and the willingness to entrepreneurial/enterprise activity. Adult, actively participate in Irish language initiatives. continuing and life-long education and training activities will be included in integrated local The Department of Community, Equality and area activities to extend initiatives in Irish Gaeltacht Affairs and the new Irish Language language support from school and community and Gaeltacht Authority will provide supports domains into adult literacy, recreational and for such language plans. Support will also be vocational training programmes. available from Irish language officers employed by local authorities and other experts within Local language initiatives will include the existing bodies. establishment of “one-stop community shops” to:

The aim of a local action plan will be to draw • provide advice to new parents who wish to together local people and public/voluntary raise their children bilingually; groups to facilitate the use of Irish locally. This will be done through increased co-ordination • offer guidance on the range of Irish-medium and public awareness of existing activities. The educational opportunities which are approach will be to map and identify Irish available; language vitality in the local area. It will be supplemented by a language audit process • assist public and voluntary organisations who which will identify ongoing strengths and wish to increase their use of Irish; and weaknesses and provide time-series evidence of the impact which language-related policies and • encourage businesses who wish to offer a reforms would have on actual language use. bilingual service to their customers. These plans will be integrated with County Language Plans and will include the Activities could focus on providing or enhancing development of social and resource centres. social and learning opportunities for children and young people to use their Irish outside the classroom in a range of cultural, social, leisure and sporting activities.

24 20-YEAR STRATEGY FOR THE IRISH LANGUAGE 2010 – 2030

County Language Plans Other voluntary sporting and cultural organisations have the potential to play a All counties with designated Gaeltacht areas, central role in widening the use of the Irish including “network Gaeltacht” areas, will be language beyond the schoolroom. The required to prepare and implement County Government will proactively engage with such Language Plans. Each such plan will contain organisations to unlock the potential of their initiatives to increase the percentage and community-based sporting and cultural activities number of daily Irish speakers on a yearly basis to contribute significantly to the Strategy. through specific targeted initiatives for that county. These measures will be delivered by At present the State provides funding for many stakeholders with assistance from language diverse Irish language organisations. A more planning experts. Following an evaluation, this integrated “cradle to old age” approach will be approach may be extended to other counties. taken with a radical re-organisation of State- funded language organisations being undertaken to provide comprehensive language Language Plan for Dublin City and support services on an area basis. County Councils Physical resource centres A substantial number of daily Irish speakers live in Greater Dublin and in its catchment area. The presence of the Irish language in the capital Dedicated resource centres will be developed in city is of great symbolic importance, both to the the centre of Dublin and other major urban people of Ireland and to visitors arriving in areas. Such centres may include theatre space, Dublin on business or for pleasure. A major Irish coffee shops and restaurants, bookshops, offices language promotion plan for Dublin City and its for Irish language organisations, internet surrounding environs will be developed and centres, historical materials, meeting and implemented in the first period of conference rooms, display areas, and research Implementation Phase II. The key target of this and development start-up units. In other areas, plan will be to increase the proportion of daily existing resource centres, including the regional Irish speakers in Dublin year on year by resource centres established by Comhaltas increasing the visibility of the language and by Ceoltóirí Éireann with public funding and providing opportunities for normal daily use of centres run by other cultural, sporting and local the language in the city. development bodies, will, with the agreement of the body concerned, serve as centres for Irish language promotion and activities. The Important Role of the Voluntary Sector An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces The local voluntary sector will have a strong role to play in the development of local language initiatives and plans. It is important, therefore, The maintenance and development of the that the sector be accorded a voice and an position of the Irish language in An Garda opportunity to contribute to policy at local Síochána and the Defence Forces is important, level, and that support be provided to groups both because of the symbolic importance of that want to engage with the language at these forces in our national life and because of national and local levels in line with the aims the services, particularly in the case of An Garda and content of this Strategy. Síochána, provided to the public. Measures already in train under the Official Languages The Irish language is a central part of the ethos Act to strengthen the position of Irish as an of national voluntary organisations, such as the internal working language in Gaeltacht areas Gaelic Athletic Association and Comhaltas and among other Irish-speaking units in services Ceoltóirí Éireann. The Government recognises to the community and in the symbolic role of An their key role in promoting the language. The Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces in State will develop and intensify its support for national life and on state occasions will be these organisations in promoting our language. further developed.

25 20-YEAR STRATEGY FOR THE IRISH LANGUAGE 2010 – 2030

6.5 AREAS FOR ACTION - MEDIA AND Traditional products like printed newspapers, TECHNOLOGY magazines and books will continue to be produced and supported where effective The 2006 Statement on the Irish Language distribution channels and reasonable sales can contains one objective addressing media and be established and verified. Support limited technology: mainly to production of these single-media materials is ineffective without distribution and marketing supports, and a reasonable threshold Objective 9: High quality broadcast services of public demand. Easy public access to printed through the medium of Irish will be ensured, materials in Irish in newsagents, bookshops and especially through the continuous development on the internet is essential if literature and print of RTÉ, Raidió na Gaeltachta and TG4. journalism are to be sustainable into the future.

As technologies and marketing techniques are General continually evolving, the most effective strategy for developing reading and writing in Irish is likely to change significantly in the coming years The Irish language in the twenty-first century is and will need to be constantly reviewed. The already charting its course in new directions. reading and writing of Irish will be supported The traditional sectors of education, community, through CDs, DVDs, audio books and print arts and media are no longer discrete domains media in the short to medium-term through: in which separate individual policies can be formulated and implemented. Languages • development of literary events and activities which were previously disadvantaged by their in public libraries throughout the year (and dispersed community base are now well- not solely during Seachtain na Gaeilge) - positioned to benefit from opportunities for author readings, launches, reading and innovation through new communications and listening clubs, and literary programmes for media technologies. These developments have schools; immense potential for resource building in the arts and education and open up new channels • guided reading programmes in schools at for individuals and communities to increase specific points of intervention (e.g. fifth class their knowledge and regular use of Irish. in primary school, transition year in post- primary and in Irish Summer Colleges, where Reading, Writing and Speech listening to and reading of books and other materials in Irish would be led by an author Building ability in reading and writing Irish or critic to support development of individual requires new thinking beyond the limitations of reading habits); the printed word reproduced on paper. Future policy must take account of the opportunities • prominent display of new materials in Irish in for linking developments in the arts, media, selected designated leading bookstores, with technology and education, as well as building suitable promotional materials, stands, on the traditional models of creating and bookmarks, promotional events, window disseminating content. Opportunities for displays and author presence (with the reading and writing in Irish, which includes the collaboration and support of relevant public production of all print media and literature in agencies if necessary); the language, and its application in education, culture and leisure, need to be exploited by a • development of a modern on-line stock and combination of traditional and innovative order management system, managed by the means. This includes those modes of main distribution agency for CDs/DVDs/books communication that make little use of written in Irish, where orders can be placed language. New media and technologies should electronically 24/7, and tracked by also be employed to increase public booksellers, Irish-language publishers and participation in reading and writing Irish in new individual purchasers awaiting orders; ways and places.

26 20-YEAR STRATEGY FOR THE IRISH LANGUAGE 2010 – 2030

• development of an attractive on-line store for approximately 4.58 hours. Sufficient funding is Irish materials, showcasing new titles, vital for TG4 to carry out its statutory remit and authors, reviews, blogs and other resources, to retain its market share as an independent which could also be used in schools and statutory body in an increasingly competitive classes for adult learners; environment.

• promotion and development of book clubs in The continued development of TG4 will also Irish as a priority in local community language ensure that the independent production sector initiatives, and provision of appropriate on- in the Gaeltacht continues to provide varied line support for book clubs; employment opportunities.

• development of at least one physical literary The Broadcasting Act 2009 sets a framework for Irish-language venue or space in Dublin, both RTÉ and TG4 in the coming years. including a CD/DVD/bookshop, a programme of literary events, and facilities like a coffee Section 25 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 imposes shop, where individuals and families could an obligation on the Broadcasting Authority of enjoy meeting; Ireland to endeavour to ensure:

• development of a literary promotion brief by that the number and categories of RTÉ and TG4, with a key role in literary broadcasting services made available in the awards, book programmes, profiling of State by virtue of this Act best serve the needs authors and contributing to their visibility of the people of the island of Ireland, bearing and media status, and cultivation of stronger in mind their languages and traditions and links between writing for the media and for their religious, ethical and cultural diversity, book publication as “complementary” activities; and and an obligation to:

• development of initiatives to encourage promote and stimulate the development of writing in Irish by young people in a range of Irish language programming and media - journalism, blogging, creative broadcasting services. writing, drama and film scripts. A number of detailed changes in the legislative Oireachtas na Gaeilge, as the primary national framework enhance the position of the Irish Irish language festival, will be encouraged and language through the activities of the public supported to allow it to continue to grow. The service broadcasters. These include: growth needs to be carefully managed, however, in an organic manner, so that the • allowing more favourable charges, terms and festival will remain an Irish language festival. conditions in respect of archive schemes by public service broadcasters for the purpose of RTÉ, as the national public service broadcaster, Irish language broadcasts; will normalise the use of Irish and English in their broadcasts, building on the success of Irish • increase in the allocation of licence fee Language Week (Seachtain na Gaeilge). RTÉ money from RTÉ to the Broadcasting Funding will continue to support and develop Raidió na Scheme (from 5% to 7%), of which TG4 is a Gaeltachta so that a broad spectrum of high main beneficiary; standard programmes will be delivered to those communities that listen to this service. • continuation of a “free hour” of Irish language television from RTÉ to TG4 (valued A youth-focused radio to target young people at circa €10m); will be developed using both the internet and conventional radio broadcasting. • deepening RTÉ's remit in relation to the Irish language; TG4 will be further supported to provide television services through Irish. TG4 now has a • Irish language programmes now free from target of a six-hour daily Irish language the “peak hours” restriction in the case of the schedule, up from a current level of Broadcasting Funding Scheme;

27 20-YEAR STRATEGY FOR THE IRISH LANGUAGE 2010 – 2030

• TG4 has been given specific powers to provide technology, speech synthesis, speech on-line non-linear services in Irish; and recognition, adaptive technology and embedding issues; capacity building for end • the Minister for Communications, Energy and users and technology specialists; e-learning and Natural Resources to consider multi-annual the Irish language; call centre software; back funding requirements of TG4. end databases and bi/multilingualism; metadata; mobile devices; optical character In fulfilment of the obligations created by the recognition; and handwriting recognition. Broadcasting Act, the Government will specifically ensure that the support provided to Such IT developments need also to be the Irish language services of the public service embedded in educational, social and work- broadcasters is further strengthened. related practices to become effective means of enhanced communication. Subtitling options will be substantially increased in order to offer the option to have subtitles in Irish, English, or both, or no subtitles, thus significantly reinforcing the accessibility of TG4 6.6 AREAS FOR ACTION - DICTIONARIES to learners and non-proficient users of Irish as well as fluent speakers. A number of measures are already in place to ensure that: The Good Friday Agreement provided that the British Government would work with the • up-to-date dictionaries, both English-Irish and relevant British and Irish broadcasting Irish-English, will be developed with provision authorities to make TG4 more “widely for updating/revising them periodically and available” in Northern Ireland. The Government for deriving shorter dictionaries from them; will continue to work with the relevant British authorities to ensure that this will be achieved • such dictionaries will be published in both in the context of the switchover to digital print and electronic formats; television by 2012. • corpus resources and lexical tools for All Irish language initiatives with a specific arts development of Irish language lexicography remit, to include drama and traditional arts, will will be created, supporting both monolingual be planned and developed as part of an integral (historical) and bilingual (contemporary) arts strategy between the Department of dictionaries; Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs and the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport in • the Historic Dictionary of the Irish language tandem with the Arts Council. being developed by the Royal Irish Academy will be completed by 2037; Information and Communication Technology (ICT) • modern terminology in Irish will be developed and disseminated; and The Government will request the inclusion of • the Official Standard for Irish spelling and Irish in all EU-developed ICT programmes. It will grammar will be revised periodically. also actively engage with major IT suppliers to license and distribute Irish-medium IT These measures will continue to be developed programmes. An IT strategy will be developed, and supported to ensure that the needs of the to include IT terminology and lexicographical language in the modern age are met. resources; localisation and open source applications; switchability of interface and A new Central Translation Unit has been language attributes; additional content creation established in the Department of Community, aids to supplement spellcheckers and Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs to implement a computerised dictionaries; diacritic markers; strategy for the translation of Statutory multilingual web pages; terminology for Instruments. It will also complete a review of computer-aided translation; multilingual the Official Standard for Irish in 2011. content/document management systems; language technology issues and corpora; speech 28 20-YEAR STRATEGY FOR THE IRISH LANGUAGE 2010 – 2030

6.7 AREAS FOR ACTION – LEGISLATION New Legislation AND STATUS As already stated, new legislation will be The Goverment Statement on the Irish enacted to give effect to the actions set out in Language 2006 contains three objectives related this Strategy, including measures to: to legislation: • provide a new definition for the Gaeltacht based on linguistic criteria; and Objective 1: The special status given to the Irish language in the Constitution and in legislation • repeal the Údarás na Gaeltachta legislation such as the Official Languages Act 2003, the and establish a new Irish Language and Education Act 1998, the Planning and Gaeltacht Authority. Development Act 2000 and the Broadcasting Act 2001 will be upheld. Northern Ireland Objective 2: The Official Languages Act will be fully implemented. The right of the public to As noted earlier, the Government will continue use Irish in dealings with the State and with to press for the full implementation of other bodies will be developed and the commitments relating to the Irish language, appropriate arrangements to deliver this will be which fall to the British Government and the put in place. Northern Ireland Executive, including the introduction of an Irish Language Act and the Objective 10: Every assistance and support will enhancement, protection and development of be given to the European Union in the Irish language in Northern Ireland. implementing the decision to make Irish a working and official language in the EU from 1 January 2007. 6.8 AREAS FOR ACTION – ECONOMIC LIFE Legal Standing Voluntary Language Schemes The Irish language has been included in many pieces of legislation enacted by successive Governments since the foundation of the State. Irish Language Schemes - modelled on The status of Irish as the first official and Language Schemes for the public sector national language in the Irish Constitution has provided for in the Official Languages Act - will been given effect in the Official Languages Act be introduced on a voluntary basis into the 2003. All provisions of the Act are in effect. private sector. The aim will be to encourage private sector companies, who value linguistic diversity in general and the Irish language in EU status particular, and wish to be involved in the national programme to deliver quality customer Irish has the status of a EU working and official services in both Irish and English. Exemplary language since 1 January 2007. The agreement initiatives in Irish language support will be on the introduction of this status gives the EU publicly acknowledged and celebrated. institutions a derogation from the obligation to translate all EU laws and texts into Irish, subject Bilingual Labelling and Packaging to periodic reviews of the continuing need for this derogation. The Government will work to create the circumstances in which a sufficient The Government will examine the feasibility of number of qualified graduates are in place to introducing a voluntary code for bilingual meet EU recruitment needs so that this labelling and packaging of all goods sold in derogation can be ended during the lifetime of Ireland. This activity could be used as a this Strategy. mechanism to develop the range of areas available in which people can choose Irish as a language of exchange.

29 20-YEAR STRATEGY FOR THE IRISH LANGUAGE 2010 – 2030

Economic Activity 6.9 CROSS-CUTTING INITIATIVES

A series of initiatives and State supports will be A number of initiatives will be taken across all put in place to encourage entrepreneurship and the areas of action already set out. economic activity among the Irish language speaking community on a company, sectoral or Think Tank local basis. The approach will be threefold: A high-level think tank of creative thinkers and innovators will be constituted on an ad • Encourage entrepreneurship through training hoc basis from time to time, to develop new programmes, business incubation, campus approaches to language maintenance and to companies and the creation of economic promote developments in the ICT sector. networks; Portal Site • Support and develop the language economy A portal site for Irish will be developed. This that can provide the required services to the will be designed to provide easy open access State and to the EU in areas such as to all materials and resources for and in Irish, translation, interpretation, language to include e-learning materials, publications, teaching, publishing, language consultancy, media, terminology, placenames, academic and project management. Measures will publications, language networks, digitised include start-up support, mentoring services, sources, and social and professional networks. product development, marketing and promotion advice, and management EU role for Irish development services; and The Government will ensure that the Irish • Position Ireland as a leader in the provision of language is included, as an official working technological solutions to providing language, in all EU and domestic research and multilingual services on a cost-effective basis. in development programmes in the areas of natural language processing, language The new Irish Language and Gaeltacht learning and language technologies. Areas Authority will facilitate the creation of a identified as crucial for development include Business Network for Gaeltacht and other Irish machine translation, optical character language businesses. The Business Network will recognition, speech technology, language work to support businesses providing services learning programmes, and speech through Irish or working through Irish and to recognition. The Irish language will also take raise awareness throughout the business advantage of platforms already developed community of the link between the language through research and development and economic development, including the link programmes for other languages. between the economic interests of Gaeltacht areas and the status of the language in those Digitisation Programme areas as well as the language dimension to the A national programme will be created, as part success of individual companies. of the celebration of the 1916 Easter Rising, to digitise major Irish language works of national importance with a view to making them accessible by publication on-line. This will build on the work already in hand by Irish Script on Screen and the Digital Humanities Observatory. The Irish language is a source of inspiration for many modern art forms, including literature, music and theatre. However, access to many of the most important manuscripts is not easily available as some are held in repositories in different parts of the world and other important works of literature are out of print. This programme will allow central access to Irish language materials held in archives, repositories, libraries and universities all over the world. 30