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Press Statement: #SEAS19

20 September 2019

Conradh na Gaeilge to lobby TDs and Senators for Irish language funding

Conradh na Gaeilge is calling on Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe to allocate €5 million in funding to the Irish Language and Gaeltacht Investment Plan in Budget 2020.

Irish language activists from around the country will sit down with their local TDs and senators today (Tuesday) to voice concerns around funding for the language and the gaeltacht as Clinic na Gaeilge comes to Kildare Street.

Hosted by Conradh na Gaeilge, the 10-hour mobile clinic takes place at Buswells Hotel (8am-6pm) in support of their Irish Language and Gaeltacht Investment Plan which they say could create over 1,190 new jobs.

Local Conradh representatives from constituencies across Ireland will travel to the capital to meet their local Oireachtas members in a bid to secure funding of €5m for the plan in Budget 2020.

“Clinic na Gaeilge brings the voice of the Irish-speaking community to the seat of power, where they can air the local issues which matter to them most,” said Dr Niall Comer, President of Conradh na Gaeilge.

“Our members will be encouraging their local Oireachtas representatives to make investment in the Irish language and the Gaeltacht a priority for the Government in Budget 2020.

“The Irish Language and Gaeltacht Investment Plan has been agreed by 88 Irish-language and Gaeltacht groups, and would create over 1,190 new jobs.

“It will also provide essential resources towards the language planning process, and afford the public many opportunities across the country to use Irish. 

“Údarás na Gaeltachta, the Gaeltacht employment authority, has seen their capital budget slashed by up to 65% since 2008 and Foras na Gaeilge, the cross-border body promoting Irish, has had a €5 million reduction in funding since 2008. 

“It is time for the Government to reinvest in our Gaeltachts and language.”

The event is being held as part of Conradh na Gaeilge’s #SEAS19 (seisiúin eolais agus spreagtha) pre-budget campaign, which involves information and progress sessions on Irish language and Gaeltacht affairs.

“As well as the representatives of many constituencies who are joining us today, other Irish speakers have been phoning their local politicians, calling into their clinics, and sending personal emails or tweets,” said Peadar Mac Fhlannchadha, Advocacy Manager with Conradh na Gaeilge.

“Like Clinic na Gaeilge, this is all tremendously enormously important work before the Budget is decided. 

“We are stronger as a community when we work together on these core issues – ní neart go cur le chéile.”

Ends

 

Pictures to be provided to desks by Conor McCabe Photography Ltd. Mobile +353 85 705 7255, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

 

Conradh na Gaeilge

6 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2.
Phone: +353 (0) 1 475 7401, Fax: +353 (0) 1 475 7844, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.