Compulsory English for Irish Language Organisations enforced by Foras na Gaeilge
February 17, 2014
The results of a rationalisation process on the voluntary organisations core-funded by Foras na Gaeilge were announced recently. Six organisations out of nineteen were selected to receive funding under the new model, and the other organisations will have their funding cut from 30 June 2014.
As a part of this process, Foras na Gaeilge wrote to the core-funded groups on 29 January 2014 to inform them that a Change Management Consultant had been appointed and would soon be available to assist the sector in its preparations for the new model.
On 02 November 2011, the core-funded groups under the auspices of An Fóram, wrote to Foras na Gaeilge and to the Ministers of the North South Ministerial Council requesting that a consultant with expertise in change management be appointed to assist the sector in formulating a new model for the sector which would best benefit the language. This request was denied.
There are two ways of interpreting the decision by Foras na Gaeilge. One could reason that the sector faces a major transformation, and that this is an honest effort by Foras na Gaeilge to support the organisations in dealing with the practical implications of this change.
On the other hand, this could be interpreted as a cynical act by Foras na Gaeilge. When the sector requested help in 2011, to formulate a model for the future which would be for the greater good of the language, and which they as a sector could support, their request was explicitly denied. Now that Foras na Gaeilge have announced the new model, and the six lead-organisations have been chosen, there are many who believe this latest action by Foras na Gaeilge to be a box-ticking exercise so that the North/South Body can claim to be supporting the sector.
Both these opinions were widely held by members of the Irish language community, and for those less cynical than others, perhaps this act could have been looked upon as an olive branch of sorts from Foras na Gaeilge. In their letter to the organisations, Foras na Gaeilge offered support in relation to issues such as contracts of employment, planning, salary and conditions of employment, continuity planning and project management.
As some organisations readied themselves to accept the olive branch, it then came to light that Foras na Gaeilge expected these organisations to undertake this work through English.
Some of these voluntary organisations have been operating in the Irish language sector for over 70 years. It was particularly insulting to the staff of these organisations that Foras na Gaeilge chose to announce the cessation of their funding via Twitter prior to contacting the organisations directly to convey the results of the process. It is even more insulting that Foras na Gaeilge would expect these long-standing Irish language organisations to undertake their activities through English in their preparations for the winding down of their funding by 30 June 2014.
In a statement to Gaelport.com, Foras na Gaeilge stated that the chosen consultants were appointed after a public competition on Etenders.
The criteria involved in choosing the consultant included:
Arising from the public competition, Treacy Consulting were appointed by Foras na Gaeilge as they “achieved first place under the criteria set out, especially in relation to experience in this area”.
If the company appointed to assist the sector cannot provide this service through Irish, it is difficult to see how they could gain any marks under numbers 4 and 5 on the list above. To tackle this shortcoming Foras na Gaeilge have explained that Treacy Consulting “have a translator to assist them in their work”.
According to reports on TG4 last week, it appears each of the six organisations chosen as lead-organisations have refused to deal with the consultants appointed by Foras na Gaeilge.
In its statement to Gaelport.com, Foras na Gaeilge said: “While the organisations undertake this vital work, Foras na Gaeilge believe it is of the utmost importance that they have access to the best consultants in terms of expertise, experience and skills who were chosen by way of a public competition”.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
Buaiteoirí Scléip 2014 i gCultúrlann Uí Chanáin
February 17, 2014
Implications of new funding model discussed in NI Assembly
February 17, 2014
Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) deliberates concerns expressed by core-funded organisations in the north
Last month, Foras na Gaeilge announced that Gaelscoileanna, Conradh na Gaeilge, Gael Linn, Oireachtas na Gaeilge, Glór na nGael, and Cumann na bhFiann has been selected as the six lead-organisations that will operate in the Irish Language Voluntary Sector under the new funding model. Funding to the organisations that were unsuccessful in the process, including Forbairt Feirste, Pobal, Iontaobhas Ultach and Altram, will cease at the end of June 2014.
The meeting which took place on Thursday, 13 February, in Stormont was attended by Foras na Gaeilge’s Deputy CEO and Director of Development Services. CEO, Ferdie Mac an Fhailigh was unable to attend. Representatives from Iontaobhas Ultach and Altram attended and a statement was read out on behalf of Pobal, who were absent due to a conference on the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages.
Under the new system, lead-organisations will operate on 32 county basis. Each of the six lead-organisations’ headquarters are based in the Republic of Ireland which has caused concern over the perceived lack of support to be given to the existing language structures within Northern Ireland.
Concern
Speaking at the meeting, Director of Iontaobhas Ultach, Aodán Mac Póilín, said that there is a real danger that one jurisdiction will be marginalised in a lead-organisation. He stated that the situation in both jurisdictions is completely different and while lead-organisations will be more than capable dealing with certain issues, the expertise is not there when it comes to legislative and cross-community. When asked if the right organisation had been chosen to lead the particular category in which Iontaobhas Ultach was included, Aodán Mac Póilín siad that no organisation, including Iontaobhas Ultach, is equipped to deal with issues effectively in both jurisdictions. He said that the wrong model had been chosen by Foras na Gaeilge and the application process was flawed from the beginning.
Chair of Altram, Áine Andrews, argued that education cannot be treated on an all-island basis. Andrews stated that preschool education is not a priority within the general education sector and could be undermined in an organisation with a broad remit such as Gaelscoileanna Teoranta, who will now be responsible for Gaelscoileanna, post-primary schools, Gaeltacht schools and preschool education. Andrews argued that a Dublin organisation is ill-equipped to deal with the complex system in the north and the organisations are not confident that the staff recruited in the six counties will be sufficient to tackle issues.
Every lead-organisation will have to recruit staff and open an office in the six counties. Foras na Gaeilge have said that 25% of staff must be based in the six counties. According to Foras na Gaeilge, the expertise within the sector is invaluable and lead-organisations have been advised to keep that experience within the sector as much as possible. It has been confirmed that jobs will be lost under the new model and Foras na Gaeilge will not be providing any funding for redundancy payments. Aodán Mac Póilín claimed that for certain organisations who receive no other funding. There will be no option but to claim bankruptcy, ending any chances of continuing as voluntary organisations.
The committee was informed during the meeting that several organisations made attempts to form confederations throughout the application process. Iontaobhas Ultach, Pobal and Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge agreed to enter the process as a confederate and Altram, Forbairt Naíonraí Teoranta, and eventually Gaelscoileanna Teoranta, also attempted to come together however, Foras an Gaeilge rejected all efforts and prohibited all lead-organisations from providing funding to other organisations. While Foras na Gaeilge were willing to accept organisation mergers, many groups believed that it was impossible for one organisation to cover such a broad remit.
The best way forward
Referring to the bias mentioned by several parties throughout the meeting, Deputy CEO of Foras na Gaeilge, Seán Ó Coinn, said that Foras na Gaeilge is an all-island body that had made huge investments in the promotion of Irish in the six counties since 1999. He said that 19 organisations are funded through Scéim na Gaeilge, including 11 organisations based in the north, as well as Summer camps, Cultúrlann McAdaim Ó Fiaich, Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin and many other projects. Ó Coinn stated that the Irish language sector in Northern Ireland is not made up of core-funded organisations alone.
The committee was told that Raidió Fáilte and an tÁisaonad would continue to be funded under the new system and that Comhaltas Uladh will operate as part of Conradh na Gaeilge. Gael Linn will continue to carry out important work from the office in Armagh and Glór na nGael will be developing their activities throughout the six counties. For the first time ever Cumann na bhFiann will bring their model for language development to the six counties and Oireachtas na Gaeilge will work with communities all around the country.
Ó Coinn praised the work carried out by the core-funded organisations up until now and emphasised the importance of the expertise gained over the years. He described how Foras na Gaeilge will be focussing on work in the community from here on out and they believe that the system of lead-organisations is the best way forward. According to Foras na Gaeilge, the new approach will require all six lead-organisations to to seek to replicate the same success in the north and will be required by An Foras to do so.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
‘New Meets Old’ – Gaelscoil Shliabh Rua Sponsored Walk
February 17, 2014
Saturday, March 1st will see the very first fundraising event for Gaelscoil Shliabh Rua take place, when our pupils will take part in a sponsored walk around the grounds of Scoil Éanna (St Enda’s) on the Grange Road. As the newest Gaelscoil in the country we thought it would be fitting to bring the children to visit the site of Ireland’s first Gaelscoil – a real case of new meeting old.
If you are considering sending your child to Gaelscoil Shliabh Rua this September, or in September 2015, come along and meet the children and their siblings, parents and grandparents. Join us as we make our way through the walled gardens, around the magical woodland walk, along the riverside and past the waterfall? The children will also be visiting the nature room and we’ll all be going for refreshments in the café afterwards. All of the monies raised will be used to purchase additional educational toys for our school.
We’re meeting at 10am, Saturday, March 1st directly in front of the main building. Hope to see you there
Is muidne le meas
Coiste na dTuismitheoirí (Sealadach)
Auditions: Sárscoil Fíbín
February 12, 2014
We are delighted to announce that Fíbín Drama School of Excellence is back. Not only will the students be able to improve their Irish but they will be trained up in drama skills from theatre and tv experts, Mícheál Ó Domhnaill (producer on ‘Aifric’ and director of Meangadh Fíbín TV), Darach Ó Tuairisg (producer and director on Fíbín Teo) ,Paul Mercier (director of Aifric and Artistic director of ‘Passion Machine’) along with other equally talented and skilled mentors.
During the workshops an emphasis will be placed on composition and writing. The students will be advised and guided through the process by experts in these fields. A play will be produced by the students which will be staged at the end of the two week course, this will add to the students confidence. An invitation will be sent out to producers for TG4, local media, parents and friends.
4 courses will be organised with 100 students attending each one. There is a huge demand on places but acting experience isn’t a necessity, a reasonable level of Irish is though. Students will attend workshops each day which will be run through Irish. The students will live in the heart of Connemara, therefore they will be immersed in the Irish language. The Irish oral exam accounts for 40% of their marks. This course will give students the chance to prepare for this exam in a fun and exciting way.
As there has been a huge demand on this course in previous years the students will need to audition for a place on the course. The fee for 2014 is €625. This covers accommoadtion, food, mentors, administration, guests etc.
If you have any questions or queries you can contact us at 091-505855 or send an e-mail to sarscoilfibin@gmail.com
Course Dates:
8th June – 20th June
22nd June – 4th July
6th July – 18th July
20th July – 1st August
View the student’s work from 2013:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jUy1_y8QP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AorenoUCSYM
Ceiliúradh speisialta i nGaelscoil Longfoirt
February 12, 2014
Cúrsaí Samhraidh Ógras
February 11, 2014
Acmhainní nua ar fáil ó Rascal Resources
February 11, 2014
Turas óige Feachtas
February 11, 2014
Rónán Ó Domhnaill nominated by the Government for the position of An Coimisinéir Teanga
February 11, 2014
Seán Ó Cuirreáin’s successor to be appointed by the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins
Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dinny McGinley T.D., has announced the nomination of journalist Rónán Ó Domhnaill from An Cheathrú Rua for the role of An Coimisinéir Teanga.
Ó Domhnaill is a graduate of the National University of Ireland, Galway, and he has been political correspondent with Nuacht RTÉ/TG4 for the past seven years.
21 expressions of interest were received for the position of Coimisinéir Teanga following on from the announcement by current Language Commissioner, Seán Ó Cuirreáin, in December that he will resign from his role on 23 February as a result of the Government’s failure to implement language legislation at the level of the State.
The Office of An Coimisinéir Teanga was established in 2004 under the Official Languages Act 2003 to monitor the compliance of public bodies with provisions under the Act and Ó Cuirreáin’s announcement continues to be a hot topic with the Government coming in for some heavy criticism in recent months based on the reasons given for Ó Cuirreáin’s, the first Language Commissioner ever appointed, decision to resign.
Announcing the Government’s nomination, the Minister of State said: “I’m delighted that Mr. Ó Domhnaill has accepted the nomination to the position as the new Coimisinéir Teanga. He is held in high esteem by the Irish language and Gaeltacht communities in his capacity as a political correspondent and I am certain that his experience will greatly benefit him as An Coimisinéir Teanga”.
Ó Domhnaill faces a challenging role as Language Commissioner where he must confront several issues raised by the current Commissioner including the low standard of the language scheme system, the lack of competence in Irish throughout the state service, the Government’s new recruitment policy for the state service and the lack of an independent audit or review on the implementation of the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language.
The outgoing Language Commissioner also cited the delay in the Heads of Bill regarding the review of the Official Languages Act 2003 which was announced in 2011, and the lack of details provided up until now regarding the merging of the Office of the Language Commissioner with the Office of the Ombudsman announced in the 2011 Public Service Reform Plan’.
An Coimisinéir Teanga, Seán Ó Cuirreáin has congratulated Rónán Ó Domhnaill on his nomination, “I wish him every success in the challenging work of promoting language rights for the people of the Gaeltacht and Irish speakers in general” he said.
Uachtarán Chonradh na Gaeilge, Donnchadh Ó hAodha, said that the appointment of Rónán Ó Domhnaill as An Coimisnéir Teanga is welcomed but the Government is continuing to avoid the major issue which is the addressing the recommendations made by the outgoing Coimisinéir Teanga, Seán Ó Cuirreáin.
The recommendations and “pretence” raised by Seán Ó Cuirreáin, as well as the challenges facing the newly appointed Coimisinéir Teanga, will be discussed when Minister of State Dinny McGinley, T.D., appears before the Oireachtas Sub-Committee on the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language and Related Matters on 6 March 2014.
An Coimisinéir Teanga is appointed by the President of Ireland on the advice of the Government following resolutions passed by Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann recommending the appointment. The period of appointment will last six years.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
