Primary Pals – Afterschool Service in Irish, Firhouse
August 12, 2013
Oifigeach Gaeilge, Coláiste Phádraig
August 12, 2013
Straitéisí chun scileanna sóisialta tábhachtacha a mhúineadh do leanaí óga
August 9, 2013
Súil Siar – Saol na scoile
August 9, 2013
Ná milltear an samhradh fada buí
August 7, 2013
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
Irish-medium education sets a high standard
August 6, 2013
IN his opinion piece on Irish-medium education (Comment, July 30), Danny Kinahan is unfairly dismissive of the role of Irish-medium schools in helping to create a truly integrated education system.
He rejects the many possibilities it affords for educational cooperation and plurality. Contrary to Mr Kinahan, I unequivocally state that Irish-medium schools are open to all parents and pupils who seek an excellent, bilingual educational experience. Regarding the question of whether Irish-medium schools deliver a quality education, the previous chief inspector’s report, under the previous assessment arrangements, shows that 83% of Irish-medium pupils achieved Level 4 or above in English Keystage 2 assessments. It also showed 79% achieved a similar standard in maths, out-performing their peers in English-medium schools. This trend continues under the new assessment arrangements.
I challenge Mr Kinahan’s defeatist presumption that the low percentage of pupils from a Protestant background at Irish-medium schools won’t change. If anything, the argument should be made that the percentage will increase, particularly following the growth of Gaelic-medium education in Scotland where the vast majority of pupils are Protestant. This refutes the assertion that there is a lack of interest or a disconnect among the Protestant community. Our view is that demand for this new, vital and dynamic sector will increase across all sections of the community when parents become more aware of the choices available to them. Prince Charles has spoken passionately about the Gaelic language, acknowledging not only its cultural and linguistic benefits. A truly shared vision for education should not pigeon-hole entire sectors and pander to the ‘them-and-us’ mentality.
I challenge Mr Kinahan to play a positive role in ensuring that language is never perceived as a political weapon, rather that it can be enjoyed and learned by all for the many benefits it offers to children – bilingualism, cognitive advantages, greater tolerance and cultural awareness.
DR MICHEAL O DUIBH
Chief executive, Comhairle na Gaelscolaiochta
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
Clár na nImeachtaí Gaeilge ag Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann
August 2, 2013
Cruinniú Poiblí do mhná tí in ionad Naomh Pádraig, Dobhar
August 2, 2013
