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The Gaeltacht Action Plan 2 0-Year Strategy for The Irish Language 2018-2022 2010-2030 Progress Report July 2018 - June 2019 Published by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Table of Contents Statement by the Minister ......................................................................................................................... 3 Statement by the Minister of State........................................................................................................ 4 Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................................... 5 Background to the Action Plan 2018–2022 ...................................................................................... 8 Area for Action 1: Education ................................................................................................................. 12 Area for Action 2: The Gaeltacht ......................................................................................................... 39 Area for Action 3: Family Transmission of the Language – Early Intervention ................ 61 Area for Action 4: Administration, Services and Community .................................................. 74 Area for Action 5: Media and Technology ....................................................................................... 84 Area for Action 6: Dictionaries ........................................................................................................... 108 Area for Action 7: Legislation and Status ....................................................................................... 112 Area for Action 8: Economic Life ....................................................................................................... 119 Area for Action 9: Cross-Cutting Initiatives ................................................................................. 130 Monitoring and Reporting .................................................................................................................... 133 Appendix 1: Glossary of Acronyms and Useful Links ................................................................ 138 Appendix 2: Minutes of Steering Committee Meetings........................................................... 143 Appendix 3: Highlights and Statistics from Bliain na Gaeilge 2018 .................................... 150 Note: References to the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht [DCHG] contained in this report shall be construed as references to the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, in accordance with Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2020 which came into effect from 30 September 2020. 2 Statement by the Minister As Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, I am pleased to present this report on progress on the Action Plan for the Irish Language 2018–2022 along with Minister of State Chambers on behalf of the Government. As with the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010–2030 which is the overall framework for the Action Plan, the Plan has cross-Departmental ownership, as does this progress report accordingly. As was identified with the launch of the Action Plan in June 2018, team spirit is at the heart of this matter, as is the case with the language planning process, the Policy for Gaeltacht Education 2017–2022 and the wide range of programmes, schemes and initiatives administered over time by stakeholders who are closely involved in the overall implementation of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish language itself. The stakeholders include my own Department, the Department of Education and Skills, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge, in addition to Irish language and Gaeltacht organisations across the country. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all stakeholders involved in implementing the plan to date. I would also like to thank the steering committee who are engaged in monitoring and reporting on it’s implementation in line with the Government's wish. It is intended to publish the second Progress Report in early 2021, covering the period from July 2019 to December 2020. While recognising the challenges we are living with as a community due to Covid-19, the progress set out in this report gives me hope and encouragement. I am looking forward to working with Minister of State Chambers and with all stakeholders over the coming period to build on the good work as detailed in this report towards our collective concern in this endeavour – the Irish language and the Gaeltacht. Catherine Martin, T.D., Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media 3 Statement by the Minister of State As Government Chief Whip and Minister of State for Sport and the Gaeltacht, I am pleased to present this report on progress on the Action Plan for the Irish Language 2018– 2022 along with Minister Martin. This is an ambitious and challenging Plan comprising over 180 actions being implemented by 60 organisations for the overall benefit of the Irish language and the Gaeltacht. The publication of this report aligns with the commitment made when the Action Plan was launched in June 2018 for the publication of such a report, in the interests of transparency and accountability. Amongst the most significant achievements made during the period of the report, the implementation of the language planning process in the Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas, Gaeltacht Service Towns and Irish Language Networks, as defined in the Gaeltacht Act 2012, was accelerated. Following the intense effort of local voluntary committees since the commencement of the process in 2014, we welcomed a new group of language planners who are energetic and committed in their work to pass their love for the language to the next generation. It outlines what has been done over the period from July 2018 to June 2019, primarily to account for all the actions outlined in the Action Plan for the ultimate benefit of the Irish language and the Gaeltacht and accordingly for the benefit of the Strategy’s implementation. As a result of the partnership and shared ownership involved, I am pleased that significant progress is evident in this report. With its publication, the Oireachtas, the civil service, the Irish language and Gaeltacht organisations and the general public are made aware of what has been done in the 12-month period from July 2018 to June 2019 in relation to the Action Plan. It also gives an indication of where further work is needed to better progress the delayed actions in the Plan. The plan recognises that the measures outlined are a baseline and that the ways in which the plan can be further developed over the coming period will be continually explored as opportunities arise and further resources become available. I am optimistic and encouraged by what has been achieved since the plan was published. As with Minister Martin, I look forward to working with all stakeholders in the period ahead to build on what has been achieved to date for the benefit of both the Gaeltacht communities and the Irish language. Jack Chambers, T.D. Government Chief Whip and Minister of State for Sport and the Gaeltacht 4 Executive Summary The purpose of this report is to provide as true, accurate and clear a picture as possible of the achievements of all stakeholders over the 12- month period from July 2018 to June 2019 to progress the 180-plus actions set out in the Action Plan 2018-2022. The publication of this report, which has been approved by Government, aligns with the decision that such a report be published annually for accountability and transparency. Although progress is being made on an ongoing basis on the Action Plan’s implementation, the period from July 2018 to June 2019 is the main subject of the report. Progress underway from July 2019 to December 2020 will be included in the next report on progress and henceforth reports will be published on a calendar-year basis for 2021 and 2022 respectively. Preparing the Report In the context of the responsibility assigned to the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (DCHG) for the implementation of the Action Plan and indeed the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010–2030, the DCHG consulted with the key stakeholders outlined in the Plan while compiling this progress report. In addition and prior to its publication, the report was presented to the Steering Committee appointed in November 2018 – chaired by the DCHG, to assist in monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the Action Plan. Further details of the committee and their work during the reporting period are given in the chapter: Monitoring and Reporting. Layout of Report Introductions at the beginning of each of the 9 Areas for Action give an overview of what has been achieved in the area over the period as well as references to any particular matters/actions that need to be highlighted in the absence of progress. Each table of actions uses green, orange and red colour to illustrate and distinguish actions completed, in progress or delayed in their implementation. An insight is also given in the form of a table on the situation of the implementation of the actions under each Area for Action. 5 As it involves joint ownership and responsibility and as the DCHG function is to co- ordinate the provision of the report
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