Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs

Advisory Committee on the Report of Coimisiún na Gaeltachta

Advisory Committee on the Report of Coimisiún na Gaeltachta

Following the publication in May 2002 of Coimisiún na Gaeltachta's Report on the Irish language in the Gaeltacht, and in view of the commitment made in the Agreed Programme for Government to use the report as the basis for future policy, an Advisory Committee was established by the Minister in October 2002.  The principal remit of the committee is to assist the Department in conducting its analysis and implementation, where appropriate, of the recommendations contained in the Report.

The Advisory Committee

The committee, under the Chairmanship of Seosamh Ó hÁghmaill, Assistant Secretary in the Department, includes senior representatives from a range of Departments and agencies that have an important role in regard to promoting the Irish language. It has been actively engaged in progressing a number of actions that will facilitate the practical implementation and advancement of proposals contained in the Report as well as related issues.  These include:

• The commissioning of a comprehensive linguistic study of the usage of Irish in the Gaeltacht.

• The initiation of an awareness campaign aimed at advising parents in Gaeltacht areas, particularly those with young children, of the advantages of choosing Irish as the household language.

• Presentation of a submission in regard to critical issues affecting the Irish language in primary and post-primary education in the Gaeltacht to The Council for Gaeltacht and Gaelscoil Education (An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta).

·        Proposals for the re-structuring of Irish language pre-school services in the Gaeltacht.

• Recommendations in regard to new structures for youth organisations in the Gaeltacht.

To download a copy of the report and for background information see under Report of Coimisiún na Gaeltachta.  For further information contact Seán Mac Eoin, e-mail address: smaceoin@pobail.ie

Advisory Committee on the Report of Coimisiún na Gaeltachta.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1.                  What has happened since the publication of the Report of Coimisiún na Gaeltachta?

Following the publication in May 2002 of Coimisiún na Gaeltachta's Report and in view of the commitment made in the Agreed Programme for Government to use the report as the basis for future policy, an Advisory Committee was established by the Minister in October 2002.  The principal remit of the committee is to assist the Department in conducting its analysis and implementation, where appropriate, of the recommendations contained in the Report.

2.            Who is on the advisory Committee and what progress has been made to date?

The committee, under the Chairmanship of Seosamh Ó hÁghmaill, Assistant Secretary in the Department, includes senior representatives from a range of Departments and agencies that have an important role in regard to promoting the Irish language. It has been actively engaged in progressing a number of actions that will facilitate the practical implementation and advancement of proposals contained in the Report as well as related issues.  These include:

• The commissioning of a comprehensive linguistic study of the usage of Irish in the Gaeltacht.

• The initiation of an awareness campaign aimed at advising parents in Gaeltacht areas, particularly those with young children, of the advantages of choosing Irish as the household language.

• Presentation of a submission in regard to critical issues affecting the Irish language in primary and post-primary education in the Gaeltacht to The Council for Gaeltacht and Gaelscoil Education (An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta).

·        Proposals for the re-structuring of Irish language pre-school services in the Gaeltacht.

• Recommendations in regard to new structures for youth organisations in the Gaeltacht.

The enactment of the Official Languages Act 2003 is one of the key recommendations contained in the Report of Coimisiún na Gaeltachta. This legislation which was passed by the Houses of the Oireachtas and signed by the President in Summer 2003 will be critical toaddressing many of the issues raised in the Report. See link on the homepage for further information regarding the Act.

3.            What are the grounds for commissioning the linguistic study mentioned in Question 2?

The Report of Coimisiún na Gaeltachta contains 19 main recommendations, one of which is a study along the lines now envisaged. Given the need for a comprehensive linguistic strategy for the Gaeltacht and as the Gaeltacht boundaries have not been substantially reviewed since their establishment under the Ministers and Secretaries Act 1956, it is important that such a study be undertaken as soon as possible.

4.            What are the precise terms of reference for the linguistic study?.

In general terms, the purpose of the study is to conduct a comprehensive linguistic study of the usage of Irish in the Gaeltacht as a basis for:

• strengthening the linguistic development of the Gaeltacht as an Irish-speaking area and

• for reviewing the official Gaeltacht boundaries.

To complete this study it will be necessary:-

• To undertake quantitative and qualitative analysis that will give as comprehensive an insight as possible of the numbers of people and families using Irish as the main language of communication on a daily basis in the Gaeltacht and their attitude regarding its future.

• To assess:-

o the practical measures necessary to ensure more effective  transmission of the Irish language from one generation to the next.

o the effect of the planning policies being pursued at present by  those Local Authorities with Gaeltacht Areas within their jurisdiction in the context of their obligations under the Planning and Development Act, 2000 and

·        To present the various geographical and demographic choices that are deemed appropriate as a basis for defining the Gaeltacht boundaries (including the area electoral divisions as they are at present, in addition to parishes, townlands and school catchment areas).

5.                  Will the Gaeltacht boundaries be changed?

The Minister, Éamon Ó Cuív has indicated that he will revert to Government in due course with any recommendations regarding changes to Gaeltacht boundaries arising from the study. A full copy of the terms of reference are available by contacting Seán Mac Eoin, (full address below), Tel: +353 091- 503705, e-mail smaceoin@pobail.ie.

6.                  What is the purpose of the Awareness Campaign (mentioned in Question 2 above), currently being considered by the Advisory Committee?

The transmission of the Irish language from one generation to the next is critical for its survival. In order to address this issue and on foot of  recommendations made by the Advisory Committee, the Department, in co-operation with Údarás na Gaeltachta is currently working on an awareness campaign.  The objective of the campaign will be to advise parents and  prospective parents in Gaeltacht areas of the advantages of choosing Irish as the principal language of the household.

It is anticipated that Údarás na Gaeltachta will have a lead role in overseeing this campaign, in co-operation with the Department.

8.                  What is involved in re-structuring the Irish language pre-school sector in the Gaeltacht mentioned in question 3 above?

Údarás na Gaeltachta, is currently engaged in the process of re-structuring this sector with a view to delivering a more effective co-ordinated service, capable of meeting increased demand and further enhancing the use of Irish among pre-school children.

9.                  What  new structures are planned for youth services in the Gaeltacht also mentioned in question 3 above?

Údarás na Gaeltachta is currently engaged in preparatory work in relation to implementing the recommendations of the Youthwork report (Tuarascáil Ógshaothar) with a view to having new structures in place by the end of the year. A copy of this report, which was jointly commissioned by Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge and officially launched on 30^th June 2003 can be obtained by either contacting Údarás na Gaeltachta at eolas@udaras.ie or by contacting Foras na Gaeilge at eolas@forasnagaeilge.ie.

Further Information

For further information see under "Advisory Committee on the Report of Coimisiún na Gaeltachta" under "An Ghaeltacht" (shortcut to be created here) on homepage or contact:

Seán Mac Eoin,

Gaeltacht Policy Section,

An Roinn Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta,

Na Forbacha,

Co na Gaillimhe.

Éire

 Tel: +353 091 503705

email: smaceoin@pobail.ie