New funding model discussed at NSMC meeting
November 26, 2013
A meeting of the North South ministerial Council (NSCM) took place in Armagh on 20 November 2013.
Earlier this week Gaelport.com reported that the shortlist for the new funding model had been chosen by Foras na Gaeilge.
Shortlisted organisations will have until 6 December to submit a comprehensive report as part of the second stage of the application process. Submissions will be evaluated and an interview process with the chairs and heads of the organisations will take place between 6 and 10 January 2014.
The progress made by Foras na Gaeilge in the development of the new funding model between July-November 2013 was noted at the meeting. A progress report provided by Foras na Gaeilge described “Ongoing measures for implementation of the new core funding arrangements, including seeking expressions of interest from qualifying organisations wishing to be considered for selection as a lead organisation”.
Foras na Gaeilge recently announced that the appointment of a Consultant in Change Management would be delayed until January 2014.
In a letter sent to NSMC ministers prior to this week’s meeting, members of An Fóram, (a group which comprises 80% of those organisations currently core-funded by Foras na Gaeilge), requested that the current process be extended due to this delay.
A decision regarding the 6 lead-organisations will be made at a meeting of the Board of Foras na Gaeilge on 17 January 2014.
Glacfar cinneadh i leith na 6 cheanneagraíocht ag cruinniú de Bhord Fhoras na Gaeilge ar 17 Eanáir 2014.
©Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com 21 Samhain 2013
Opposition criticises Government Committee on the Irish Language
November 26, 2013
Two meetings held by Government committee on Irish language and Gaeltacht affairs in the past year
The Government committee which is chaired by an Taoiseach was heavily criticised in the Dail this week during a discussion regarding the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language.
While answering questions from Micheál Martin TD (Fianna Fail), Gerry Adams TD (Sinn Féin) and Joe Higgins TD (Socialist Party), an Taoiseach Enda Kenny informed the House that the committee, which was established to monitor the implementation of the Strategy, held only two meetings throughout the past year.
The strategy was launched in 2010 with the aim of increasing the number of daily Irish language speakers from its current figure of 83,000 people to 250,000 people in the next 20 years. Nine distinct areas for proposed initiatives are set out in the Strategy, as well as goals for each area including Education, An Ghaeltacht, Early Immersion, Public and Community Services, Technology and the Media, Legislation and language status.
The Irish language community expressed their disappointment with its implementation in July of this year when the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht published a Strategy progress report. Since that report, the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has announced funding to Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta Teo. will come to an end in December of this year and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform announced the removal of the points system from the civil service which awarded extra points to those who completed recruitment examinations through Irish.
An Taoiseach informed the Dáil that €500,000 had been allocated for the implementation of the Strategy in October’s budget and that Minister of State for the Gaeltacht Dinny McGinley is visiting various Gaeltacht regions on a weekly basis to ensure the implementation of Government policy.
The Government’s latest proposals and cuts where criticised by the Opposition as well as the changes to the appointment of the members of Údarás na Gaeltachta under Acht na Gaeltachta 2012 and the recent report published by the Chief Inspector which highlights major flaws in the learning and teaching of Irish in the education system.
©Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com 22 Samhain 2013
The derogation of Irish in the EU
November 26, 2013
Call for Government Committee on Irish language and Gaeltacht affairs to seek end to derogation on the official status of the Irish language in the European Union.
While Irish has been recognised as one of 24 official and working languages of the European Union since 2007, a derogation which was placed on that status until 2012 and then extended until 1 January 2017, means that not all EU Institutions are obliged to translate all documentation into Irish.
The Irish language community has been heavily critical of EU Institutions due to their misuse of the derogation since 2007. Several Institutions have used the derogation as a reason not to translate documentation even though it relates to laws alone. In August of this year, the European Ombudsman, following his investigation of a complaint made by Dr Pádraig Ó Laighin, found a case of maladministration against the European Parliament for failure to make its website available in Irish.
Conradh na Gaeilge has said that over 180 jobs would be created should the derogation be lifted and a decision must be made by the government in time for any EU recruitment campaign.
General Secretary of Conradh na Gaeilge, Julian de Spáinn, said that the derogation on Maltese was lifted after three years as a result of provisional contracts given to Maltese experts which allowed employees to gain French as a third official language, a requirement in the EU and a practice which could be applied to the Irish language.
Conradh na Gaeilge is demanding that the derogation be lifted as soon as possible and a series of recruitment competitions for long-term and provisional contract positions take place in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
©Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com 25 Samhain 2013
President of Ireland shows support for ESG
November 26, 2013
Michael D. Higgins has said that he is happy to support the work of Gaelscoileanna and ESG to encourage excellence from evidence.
‘From evidence to excellence’ was the theme of this year’s Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta Teo. (ESG) & Gaelscoileanna Teo. conference which held in Enfield, Co. Meath at the weekend.
This annual conference is open to anybody associated with Irish medium education, teachers and principals from both primary and secondary levels in particular, and a series of lectures, focus groups and workshops takes place over the weekend.
This year saw Gaelscoileanna celebrating 40 years of work and President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins attended the official opening of the conference on Friday as part of the celebrations.
ESG launched a template for Irish language policy in Gaeltacht primary schools at the weekend, a resource which will assist in the drafting of language policy.
Speaking at the conference, President Michael D. Higgins recognised the important role of Gaeltacht schools in supporting Irish as a spoken language in the Gaeltacht.
The Board of Directors of ESG made the decision in September to wind up the organisation as a result of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht decision not to provide funding to the from the beginning of next year.
ESG, based in Baile Bhuirne, Co. Cork was established in 2006 as an umbrella body for primary and secondary schools in the Gaeltacht areas. ESG and Gaelscoileanna Teoranta have been in talks towards amalgamating the two organisations for over two years, but while certain progress was made in this regard, the failure of both funders – Foras na Gaeilge and the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht – to come to a solution in relation to future funding caused an insurmountable obstacle to the progression of the merge.
The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht claim it would have been inappropriate to get involved in talks relating to the amalgamation of two voluntary organisations while this process was still underway.
ESG Deputy Chairperson Anna Ní Chartúir said that the strong support shown by President Higgins for the work of ESG, and his understanding of the importance of that work is grounds for hope.
©Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com 26 Samhain 2013
Success of Irish medium education clear in 2013 School League Tables
November 26, 2013
The Irish Times published this year’s School League Tables today and this year’s list includes 9 Gaelscoileanna with a progression rate of 100% of students who continue onto third level education.
The annual list focuses on the main feeder schools to universities from around the country and this year’s report shows a significant increase in the number of non-fee paying schools with a success rate entitling them to feeder school status making up 75% of the top 100 schools. Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara, Carna in Galway, has been named the non-fee paying school with the third highest rate in the country.
As with most years, fee-paying schools lead the way with the highest progression rate to higher points courses in the country and Irish-medium secondary schools also feature strongly in this regard with Coláiste Íosagáin, Stillorgan; Coláiste Eoin, Stillorgan and Coláiste an Phiarsaigh, Glanmire all being named on the same list.
There are 9 Gaelscoileanna among the schools with a 100% progression rate:
• Coláiste Íosagáin, Stillorgan
• Coláiste Eoin, Stillorgan
• Coláiste an Phiarsaigh, Glanmire
• Coláiste Ghobnatan, Baile Bhuirne
• Coláiste Cois Life, Lucan
• Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí
• Coláiste Laurel Hill FCJ, Limerick
• Coláiste na Coiribel, Galway
• Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne
Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara, Carna in Galway, Coláiste an Phiarsaigh, Glanmire and Coláiste Laurel Hill FCJ, Limerick have all been named on the list for the highest rate of progression to third level in the country.
Coláiste Íosagáin, Stllorgan and Coláiste Eoin, Stillorgan came in third and fourth place respectively of the schools in County Dublin and Coláiste Cois Life, Lucan, was named in ninth place on the same list.
Fee-paying schools, Gaelscoileanna and State-run schools in prosperous areas have continuously dominated the league.
©Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com 26 Samhain 2013
Concert with Nine Schools
November 26, 2013
Nine national schools in a single choir
Invitation to a free concert
Where: Loughrea Hotel & Spa, Loughrea
When: Wednesday, 27 November at 5.30pm.
Why: Students from 9 different national schools in the East Galway area will assemble to sing the Irish songs we all know accompanied by a junior orchestra. Free in.
Info: 091 870718 or see www.lochariach.com
Christmas Craft Fair
November 26, 2013
CRAFT FAIR
PREMIER CHRISTMAS FAIR
SUNDAY
01/12/2013
12.00-5.30P.M.
WONDERFUL HANDMADE CRAFTS & GIFTS
NOT TO BE MISSED
PLEASE TELL ALL.
ÁRAS CHRÓNÁIN IONAD CULTÚIR
DUBLIN 22
Rostbhandaí as Gaeilge
November 25, 2013
Léarscáil dátheangach saor in aisce
November 25, 2013
In the name of the fada: English giving us a lesson in Irish
November 25, 2013
IT’S lessons in Irish – from England. After centuries in which the occupiers tried to wipe out the Irish language, that bastion of British education and culture, Oxford University, is making amends.
Oxford University Press (OUP) has launched an Irish-English visual dictionary for children from the age of eight. The aim, according to the OUP, is to support the local language revival and to assist parents, schools and children. In their publicity for the colourful dictionary the OUP says: “From the reign of Elizabeth the First through to the ravages of the Famine, Ireland’s language declined and almost disappeared in the 20th Century.
“However, since 2000 there has been a growing resurgence of interest in maintaining and reviving Irish Gaelic with a growing desire to teach the next generation the language of their forebears. This dictionary is a vibrant and fresh way to help children learn Gaeilge.” Each section of the new dictionary features a brief introduction and then numerous illustrations. In total, the book provides 1,500 vocabulary items in Irish and English. Children’s dictionaries publisher at the OUP, Vineeta Gupta, says: “Irish people are quite rightly proud of their heritage and want to keep it alive and pass it on for future generations – and part of our OUP mission is about helping to support language learners wherever they are.”
The language throws up some quirky surprises, the OUP says: “On a chilly day, you might advise your child to wrap up warm with a scairf (scarf) but be mindful you don’t say scairp, because that’s a scorpion.” The publisher says it is interesting that there are many similarities: a cat is a cat in both languages, shoes and belts are often made of leathar, whilst a piotsa (pizza) is popular with children everywhere. “The book is the result of painstaking work with language consultants, teachers, native Irish speakers and children themselves.”
But this is the first time Oxford has produced an Irish-English dictionary for children. The OUP’s enthusiasm for Irish does not mean they have got everything right, however. The illustration showing the different parts of the body gives the word lámh for arm, instead of géag. Lámh is the Irish for hand, géag is the Irish for arm.
Amach ar on líne!
www.irishindependent.ie
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com 25 Samhain 2013
Irish Independent – John Spain
