Cuts will shut 19 Irish-language bodies

The infrastructure needed by Irish speakers is about to be destroyed.

Foras na Gaeilge is proposing to abolish annual core funding for Irish-language organisations. They intend to invite applications for three-year schemes in a limited range of activities. Under Foras na Gaeilge’s proposal, 19 longstanding Irish-language organisations will cease to exist, their services will be no more and staff will have to be let go.

Foras na Gaeilge have not carried out any review of the effectiveness, or the efficiency, of the Irish-language organisations, and their proposal is at odds with international language-planning principles. We believe that the Foras na Gaeilge ‘new funding model’ is deeply flawed, and will prove detrimental to the development of Irish across the country.

We call for a permanent funding structure, based on strategic planning and long-term goals, for the Irish-language voluntary sector.

Professor Colin Williams, Cardiff University, Wales

Professor Muiris Ó Laoire, AUT University, Auckland, New Zealand

Professor Dónall Ó Baoill, Queens University Belfast

Dr Wilson McLeod, University of Edinburgh, Scotland

Dr Conchúr Ó Giollagáin, Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, NUI, Galway

Dr Pádraig Ó Duibhir, St Patrick’s College

Laoise Ní Thuairisg, Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, NUI, Galway

Kevin De Barra, Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, D2