Conradh na Gaeilge welcomes this recognition and the possibility that Údarás na Gaeltachta may work with Uisce Éireann, as mentioned in the Government’s new housing plan. However, the organisation believes that the plan falls far short of what is needed to tackle the Gaeltacht housing crisis.
Although there are some positive steps in the Government’s new housing plan - including the proposal to explore the potential for Údarás na Gaeltachta to work with Uisce Éireann and local authorities to provide supports for building homes for the Irish-speaking community - the overall approach remains slow, limited, and lacking in ambition.
President of Conradh na Gaeilge, Ciarán Mac Giolla Bhéin, said:
“For the first time ever, we see the State formally acknowledging that access to a mix of suitable housing is a basic requirement for the Gaeltacht to be sustainable. That is a significant step. However, recognition alone will not solve the housing crisis. If families cannot build or buy homes in their own areas, the Gaeltacht cannot survive. And without the Gaeltacht, there is no future for the Irish language as a community language.”
General Secretary of Conradh na Gaeilge, Julian de Spáinn, said:
“It is positive that the Government has included the Gaeltacht in its national housing plan, but it is disappointing to see how few practical measures are included and the lack of urgency in acting on them. For example, although it is stated that a ‘National Planning Statement for the Gaeltacht’ will be published, we understand that this is effectively the same as the Gaeltacht Planning Guidelines that were promised back in 2021 and the plan now indicates there will be further delay, with publication not expected until the first half of 2027.
There are no measurable targets for the number of houses to be provided in the Gaeltacht, no specific Gaeltacht supports for Gaeltacht communities wishing to build homes, and no new powers proposed for Údarás na Gaeltachta to purchase land in order to provide housing-related services. Conradh na Gaeilge, together with the advocacy groups Tinteán and Bánú, will continue to campaign for fairness and for a real solution to the Gaeltacht housing emergency.”
MEDIA:
X: @CnaG
IG: @cnagaeilge / @tinteandonghaeltacht
More information:
The demands of the TINTEÁN campaign group which COnradh na Gaeilge supports are as follows:
- That strong Gaeltacht planning guidelines be published and enforced
- That a Gaeltacht Housing Grant Scheme be relaunched for the Gaeltacht community
- That the necessary additional funding be provided to Údarás na Gaeltachta to establish a Housing Department that will, among other tasks, facilitate a Gaeltacht Population and Housing Strategy for each Gaeltacht Language Planning Area
- Provide Údarás na Gaeltachta with the power to purchase land/property for housing and for providing social and cultural facilities
CONTACTS:
Julian de Spáinn
General Secretary, Conradh na Gaeilge
+353 (0)86 8142757 | +353 (0)1 4757401 |
66 Camden Street, Dublin 2
Kate Ní Dhúbhlaoich,
Communications Executive, Conradh na Gaeilge
+353 87 389 8255 |
66 Camden Street, Dublin 2
