Naíonra subsidies cut
August 6, 2013
At the end of June, the Board of Foras na Gaeilge made a decision to discontinue the subsidy scheme for naíonraí which has been administered by Forbairt Naíonraí Teoranta (FNT) since 1999.
In 2012, € 876,900 was provided to FNT to pay to individual naíonraí as part of the scheme, and in the first six months of this year €545,000 was awarded to FNT under the scheme but Foras na Gaeilge have now decided that no funding will be made available for the period July – December 2013. “A disastrous blow to the preschool sector” is how Clíona Frost, CEO of Forbairt Naíonraí Teoranta has described the decision and says 31 positions are in jeopardy, and up to eight Naíonraí could potentially close as a direct result of the decision. According to FNT no advance notice was given to either FNT or Na Naíonraí Gaelacha, and they did not understand this item was even up for review by the Board, or that such an important decision was to be made. FNT claim it was not until they received their funding allocation for the period July – December 2013 at the end of June that the decision became apparent.
In a statement provided to Gaelport.com from Foras na Gaeilge it is stated that the scheme was under review for a number of years and officers of Foras na Gaeilge informed FNT at a meeting on 1 March 2013 that the item was being scrutinised and that there was a chance that the subsidy would not be paid in the July-December allocation of funding. Foras na Gaeilge state clearly that the decision was not made without advance warning and discussion. Foras na Gaeilge contend “double funding” was being provided as payments were also being received by naíonraí under the Government’s Early Childhood Care and Education scheme. Gaelport.com spoke to Rebecca Uí Bhruachail of Naíonra Thír na nÓg in Malahide, Co. Dublin. This naíonra provides services to ten children, and Ní Bhruachail explains that funding received under this scheme was used to pay for stationery, teaching aids, books, toys, and Irish lessons for staff. In total, this naíonra received €1,800 annually under the scheme.
Rebecca said: “When the naíonra closed at the start of the summer, we had two employees, but with these latest cuts, I will not be able to employ a second person. Under the Childcare Act 1996 two adults must always be in charge of the children, so therefore my choices are to find somebody who is willing to do this work voluntarily, or close the naíonra. It is as simple as that”. Catherine Allen is the Director of Naíonra na gCéimeanna Beaga in Westport, which caters for 22 children. This cut will mean a reduction €4,000 per year for the naíonra, and Catherine contends this will have a detrimental effect on the standard of the service. Catherine stated: “This subsidy used to allay some of the normal running costs of the naíonra; books, jigsaws, resources and classes for the staff. Our naíonra was only founded two years ago, and I took out a loan to found it. That loan has not yet been repaid. Every penny is important as I aim to provide the highest standard possible. Without this subsidy, one part-time position will go in September. Under the ECCE scheme, I cannot raise the fees for parents which leaves me snookered. I intend to continue for the next year, but I don’t know what I will do in the future. It is quite possible that I will have to close the naíonra”.
In the statement from Foras na Gaeilge it is stated that Foras na Gaeilge do not believe the subsidy to be critical to the sustainability of any naíonraí.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
Tuarascáil ar fheidhmiú na Straitéise 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge foilsithe
August 6, 2013
Clár na nImeachtaí Gaeilge ag Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann
August 2, 2013
New DIT postgraduate courses provide education in key skill areas
August 1, 2013
In response to ever-changing market demands, Dublin Institute of Technology has developed new postgraduate programmes in key skill areas – from digital marketing to sustainable infrastructure, from geospatial engineering to event management.
Postgraduate education is increasingly valued in the workplace and is a way to build on the expertise of a primary degree or undertake study in a different area that adds breadth of knowledge and skills to a CV.
DIT offers career-focused postgraduate education, along with a culture of excellence in teaching and research. A dynamic and interactive postgraduate community at the Institute helps to foster a sense of communal learning, whether a student is on a taught Masters or a research focused Masters.
New postgrad programmes for DIT this autumn include the MSc in Event Management (the only Masters in Event Management in the Republic) and the innovative MSc in Digital Marketing & Analytics (a 16-month programme led by practitioners from the digital marketing world).
On the engineering side, DIT is launching its MSc in Geospatial Engineering (within the new School of Surveying and Construction Management at DIT Bolton Street). The programme aims to prepare graduates to use specialised skills and deep knowledge as producers, managers and users of geospatial information.
Sustainability has become a key area in construction and engineering and the new ME in Sustainable Infrastructure is designed to provide participants with specialised skills and knowledge in technical design in this important sector.
The full list of new postgrad programmes is below. Many of DIT’s postgraduate programmes are available on both a full-time and part-time basis.
- MSc in Event Mgt (DT9143 full-time / DT9414 part-time )
- MSc in Geospatial Engineering (DT9415 full-time / DT9416 part-time)
- MSc in Digital Marketing & Analytics – (DT9333 part-time)
- Masters Qualifier For MSc in Computing – (DT265B full-time, DT265C part-time)
- MSc in Geographic Information Science – (DT9419 full-time/ DT9420 part-time)
- ME in Sustainable Infrastructure – (DT9147 – full-time, DT9148 part-time)
- Higher Diploma in Computing – (DT265 full-time / DT265A part-time)
For more information and to find out how to apply, visit www.dit.ie/postgrad/
For further information on any of the programmes, contact the DIT Press Office on 01-4027130 or email lisa.jewell@dit.ie.
Teideal Nua Réamhscoile ó Futa Fata
August 1, 2013
Déan Coinne le Doire : Turais threoraithe as Gaeilge
August 1, 2013
€4,050 sanctioned for Naíonra Thuar Mhic Éadaigh
July 31, 2013
Minister of State for the Gaeltacht, Dinny McGinley T.D., has announced the sanctioning of a €4,050 grant for Coiste Naíonra Thuar Mhic Éadaigh to resurface the playground and to purchase new equipment.
At the announcement of the grant, the Minister of State said he was pleased to award this grant at this time in order to develop this important facility and stated that “this Naíonra has a vital role in the promotion of the Irish language in the area”.
Published on Gaelport.com
(Gaeilge) Cúrsa Garchabhair Iomlán trí Ghaeilge
July 29, 2013
Manx animation to feature at Inter-Celtic festival in Lorient
July 29, 2013
The first-ever animated film in Manx Gaelic is to be a major feature at the Festival Interceltique de Lorient next month. Caarjyn as Fenee (Friends and Heroes – in English) will be shown on Thursday 8 August in the Auditorium du Cercle St Louis at 16:55.
The unique Manx translation of the award-winning TV series is the culmination of a 5-year project, only made possible with the help of many local Manx speakers on the island, who became voice-actors for the cartoon characters in the film.
“This is ‘Yindyssagh erskyn towse’‐ (Fantastic above all measure) and is a real breakthrough for Manx Gaelic (Gaelg).” said Adrian Cain, Manx Language Officer for the Manx Heritage Foundation. “Each programme features a full Manx soundtrack as well as English and Manx sub‐titles, making a fantastic teaching and learning resource and helping give Manx Gaelic a much higher profile both on the island and internationally.”
Each episode of Friends and Heroes is set in the first century AD and follows the adventures of two children, Macky and Portia. As they engage in countless escapades and fight for justice across the Roman world, they share the timeless stories of the Bible and learn lessons that help them through many trials and tribulations. Each episode uses a combination of traditional hand‐drawn and stunning computer generated animation to bring the stories to life.
Caarjyn as Fenee officially launched last week as part of the annual Yn Chruinnaght festival, held on the Isle of Man. All 13 episodes (over 5 hours) of the First series are available in Manx in a 4-DVD set at just £20.
The Festival Interceltique de Lorient, or Inter-Celtic Festival of Lorient, is an annual Celtic festival, located in the city of Lorient, Brittany, France. Founded in 1971, this annual festival takes place in the heart of the city every August and is dedicated to the cultural traditions of the Celtic nations, highlighting Celtic music and dance and also including other arts such as painting, photography, theatre, film, sculpture, traditional artisan as well as sport and gastronomy. To find out more about the festival go to http://www.festival-interceltique.com
To see a sample of Friends and Heroes in Manx, or to purchase online go to www.friendsandheroes.com/manx
Press Contact: Brett Pitchfork – Marketing Director
Tel: +44 (0) 1624 811744
Email:brett.pitchfork@friendsandheroes.com
Tionól Cruthaitheach ar Athréimniú na Tíre á eagrú sa Bhoirinn
July 26, 2013
