Irish language group was left without funding

I WAS interested in the letters from Foras na Gaeilge (July 20) and Darren Mac an Phríora (July 13) regarding the approach of Foras to the promotion of the Irish language at local level and the €3.6 million fund set up for this purpose.

I find the attitude of Foras na Gaeilge quite astounding.

We in Waterford set up a ‘One-stop Shop na Gaeilge’ on the Quay. We promoted the language through lessons for adults, competitions for youngsters, selling Irish language books, cards, etc., and providing a central point for those who wished to come in and speak Irish.

We provided a translation service to the public, worked with the local authorities and with the business sector. We were making a real impact. All of this was done with one full-time employee and 12 volunteers.

Then Foras pulled the plug on us a week before Christmas 2005 and we lost funding of €40,000 a year.

Despite representation from the local authority, the chamber of commerce, the Ring Gaeltacht and many individuals and Irish language organisations, Foras would not budge. The people who understood the importance of what we were doing were in Gael-Taca in Cork. They gave us great support.

Foras has short-term schemes and money to spend, but there’s no follow through, no long-term plan, no marketing strategy and no feeling for those at local level who give their time and energy to promoting the language.

Dáithí Kimber

Iar-Oibrí Deónach le Port

Láirge le Gaolainn

39 Faiche an Ghrágáin

Port Láirge