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Dírigh ar do thodhchaí ag Lá Oscailte ITBÁC 2012

November 16, 2012

Irish language career guide launched

November 14, 2012

A new careers package containing hints and advice for those interested in using the Irish language in the workforce was launched at the
Oireachtas na Samhna Irish language festival in Letterkenny recently.

BBC broadcaster Lynette Fay was on hand to launch the multimedia project called Céim Chun Tosaigh: ag Obair le Gaeilge ( A step ahead: Working with the Irish language), the new career guidance package produced by Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge and Comhar na Múinteoirí Gaeilge for second level students across Ireland.

Céim Chun Tosaigh provides information and guidance on courses, training options and career paths in Ireland and abroad.

The multimedia package includes a DVD which can be used as a learning resource in classrooms, a handbook with general information on career areas and skills and a series of lively short films and interviews which will be published online on YouTube and Vimeo.

Presented by Sibéal Davitt and Ciarán Ó Conghaíle, the full length programme focuses on a wide range of careers, from media, teaching, technology, linguistics, law, language teaching, sports, the army, the arts, business and childcare.

The DVD examines the challenges faced by graduates in the difficult economic climate, while some of those interviewed have been successful working in careers working with the Irish language far afield from New York to Brussels.

It also highlights the highly transferable skills which multilingual graduates have and the dynamic career paths which are open to them.

This Irish language programme features full subtitles in English and Irish making it a suitable learning resource for all second-level schools in Ireland.

The project received funding from Foras na Gaeilge; An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta and Teacher Partner Networks.

Information packs will be distributed to schools on a 32 county basis following this with all content to be published on line in November. For further information contact ceimchuntosaigh@gaelport.com.

Public views sought on Irish Language Services in Northern Ireland

November 14, 2012

The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure is seeking the public’s opinion in relation to the development of the Irish Language. The Department has prepared a consultative document which contains the primary aims and objectives in relation to the Irish language in Northern Ireland.

The Programme for Government 2011- 2015 (http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/pfg-2011-2015-final-report.pdf) for Northern Ireland proposed an Irish Language Strategy as a foundation stone in promoting communication between communities and in developing the cultural sector of the jurisdiction. The Strategy’s objectives include enticing more people toward Irish language medium education, developing public services through Irish and increasing access to the Irish language media.

The Department has set out 6 key areas of action to fulfil and obtain the aims and objectives as set out in the strategy. These key areas for action include

• Education
• Family transmission of Irish
• Administration Services and community
• Media and technology
• Legislation and status of the language, and
• Economic life.

Representatives of all Government Departments in Northern Ireland as well as UK Departments operating in Northern Ireland will be responsible for ensuring that progress is being made against the Strategy’s aims, objectives and areas for action. The Strategy will also require cooperation for Departments in Westminister as they are responsible for some public services in Northern Ireland such as broadcasting.

The consultative document may be found on the Department’s website at http://www.dcalni.gov.uk/straieis_le_forbairt_gaeilge.pdf and the public may voice their opinion in relation to the document by visiting the following site https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PZQ3HKP. The deadline for recommendations is 5pm Tuesday 27 November 2012.

TG4 launches new children’s Apps

November 14, 2012

TG4 launched two children’s apps at Oireachtas na Samhna at the beginning of the month – Cúlacaint2 and Olly an Veain Bheag Bhán.

Young children are becoming more aware of the growth of technology and there are no limits to the possibilities when it comes to entertainment. Programmes are no longer restricted to the television screen and new, innovative means of learning are constantly being developed.

These two apps for iPhone and iPad provide interactive games in Irish as seen in Cúla4 and a full programme schedule for the channel. Programmes uploaded onto the TG4 player can also be viewed on them.

Cúlacaint2 helps young children learn new words by listening and reading lists fun words based on the alphabet, numbers, colours, food and clothes.

The Olly app is based on the successful TG4 kids programme Olly an Veain Bheag Bhán. With this app, kids have a choice of two games – Rás na mBeartán and Cuir Caoi Air. In the first game, kids must gather the right parcels and the second game has to do with putting broken vehicles back together by placing parts in the right places.

A third aip, Ag Sparoi le Claude, based on the original cartoon for kids, will be launched at the end of the month.

Careers Guidance Fair and Seminar to be held in Belfast

November 14, 2012

Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge in association with Coláiste Feirste and Forbairt Feirste will organise a careers guidance fair and jobs seminar in Belfast on Thursday, 6th December 2012.

Coláiste Feirste and Forbairt Feirste have being hosting such large jobs fairs in the college in recent years and for the third year running the fair will once again link up the seminar.

Due to the success of these events both the jobs fair and seminar have combined forces once again this year and will take place in Coláiste Feirste.

The seminar will cater for second level students in Northern Ireland. ‘The Added Advantage of Irish’ is the theme of the seminar, and well-known personalities will speak on the advantages which the Irish language has afforded them in their chosen careers.

By linking the Careers Fair and seminar students will get a great opportunity to sit in on one hour of seminars and listen to guest speakers speak and then continue on and visit information stands.

Among the speakers will be the talented broadcaster Lynette Fay who works with BBC Raidió Uladh and who also works with TG4 on various programmes. Dónal McAnallen will give an insight into how he used the Irish language to his advantage as a cultural officer with the Ulster Council.

Gráinne Holland who hails from west Belfast and who is a removed Irish language and Gàidhlig singer will discuss her own experiences and insight into the doors the language has opened to her as an artist and the importance of a language as an identity when travelling abroad.

The event is expected to be both interesting and inspirational and it is hoped that it will motivate students to consider the Irish language when choosing their career paths.

Throughout the seminar students will have a chance to ask questions of the speakers, and to take part in what promises to be a lively debate.

If you are a secondary school teacher and would like to bring a class to the jobs fair and seminar or if you would like to have an information stand at this event please contact: Colma McKee

Tel: 0044 (0)28 90438 771 or e-mail: colma@forbairtfeirste.com

An Ghaeilge to be discussed at annual information day for politicians

November 14, 2012

The current and future status of the Irish language will be discussed on Wednesday, 21st November in Buswells Hotel, Dublin at the annual information day for the politicians of Leinster House.

Conradh na Gaeilge and Guth na Gaeltachta are continuing with the consultation process with TDs and Senators for the fourth year in a row and this year, they are expecting a contingent of representatives from various constituencies to attend on the day.

Representatives from Conradh na Gaeilge and Guth na Gaeltachta will be present form 8.00am – 6.00pm on the day and according to both organisations, “it is extremely important that we get as many people as possible from various constituencies on the day to influence their local politicians.”

The annual information day is a great opportunity for politicians and Irish-speaking constituents to come together and discuss the issues that are important to them and their communities. TDs and Senators can be made aware of local issues regarding the language and the opinions of their own constituents.

Conradh na Gaeilge and Guth na Gaeltachta are asking people to attend the session for a couple of hours to demonstrate to the politicians the importance of the Irish language among their local communities. Various topics regarding the state of the language have been discussed at previous sessions and this year, constituents are asked to focus on the following topics during the discussions:

1. The recognition of the Irish-speaking and Gaeltacht communities as stakeholders in the implementation of the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language and the establishment of a proper structure for the Irish language and Gaeltacht organisations;

2. The protection of the Irish language throughout the on-going rationalisation of the public sector and the Government bodies and to embrace any opportunity that will add to the status of the language.

3. The consideration of An Ghaeilge and An Ghaeltacht in the Education and Training Boards Bill 2012.

Those wishing to attend must register beforehand by contacting Síne Nic an Ailí at sine@cnag.ie or by phoning (01) 4757401. Those registering will be asked for their name, their constituency and the time they will ba available to speak to their local politicians.

An dráma An Triail ar chamchuairt

November 14, 2012

Nuachtlitir Ráth Chairn

November 13, 2012

Cairde Teo – Fiontraíocht Shóisialta ag feidhmiú ar son na teanga

November 12, 2012

Minister Quinn & EIB President welcome start to construction of eight schools unlocking Public Private Partnership Model

November 12, 2012

The Minister for Education and Skills warmly welcomed the start of construction today (Monday 12th November) of eight schools which are being delivered under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. These are the first public sector projects to be funded under the PPP model since June 2010.

These schools in counties Westmeath, Leitrim, Limerick, Galway, Donegal, Wexford and Waterford are the third bundle of schools to be built under the Department of Education and Skills school PPP programme. They are part of the five year school building programme already announced by Minister Ruairí Quinn T.D. earlier this year.

A loan of €50 million has been secured through the European Investment Bank (EIB) which has meant these new schools can now proceed to construction. The total value of the construction costs is estimated to be approximately €100 million.

The eight schools will provide accommodation for approximately 5,700 students. Six of the eight schools are second level schools; while the two remaining schools to be built in Doughiska, Co. Galway, are a primary and a secondary school which will share a single campus.

Minister Quinn said, “This is very good news for the communities in counties stretching from Donegal to Waterford who have been waiting for their school building projects to be given the green light.”

“I am particularly pleased that the EIB has again decided to support the Department’s schools capital investment programme with a loan of €50 million which will assist in funding this investment. It is a further signal of the bank’s renewed confidence in the Irish State and our recovery programme.”

President of the EIB,Werner Hoyer, said, “The landmark agreement to support construction of eight new schools marks the reopening of the PPP sector in Ireland. The European Investment Bank is committed to enabling education investment in Ireland. This project complements EIB support provided in July to build 550 new classrooms and backing to redevelop University College Dublin a year ago.”

The National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) is responsible for advising State Authorities on the best financing of priority public investment projects. These eight schools in PPP Bundle 3 were referred to the NDFA in July 2010 to assist in securing funding.

BAM PPP was appointed preferred tenderer in September 2011 and all planning issues were granted by May of this year. Now that funding has been secured, construction is expected to begin immediately. The project financing includes EIB, Bank of Ireland and the National Pensions Reserve Fund.

Theo Cullinane, BAM Chief Executive said, “We are pleased to be investing in the Irish market and to have been able to partner with the Department of Education and Skills, the NDFA and our senior lenders Bank of Ireland, the European Investment Bank and the National Pensions Reserve Fund to develop a financing solution for the project. The successful financing of this project augurs well for future PPP projects.”

Tom Hayes, Chief Executive of Bank of Ireland Corporate Banking, said, “This transaction highlights Bank of Ireland’s commitment to supporting local communities throughout the country. It will create more than 1,000 much needed jobs during construction and on completion will provide first class educational facilities for over 5,700 pupils and serve generations to come.”

Earlier this year, Minister Quinn unveiled a five year Schools Capital Programme worth €1.5 billion. This will see a total of 275 major school buildings projects commenced between now and 2016. The €50 million loan being provided by the EIB will assist in funding this investment. Since 2008 the European Investment Bank has provided nearly €350 million for investment in schools and universities in Ireland.

All schools are expected to be completed by 2014. Their completion will bring the total number of schools delivered under the PPP model in the State to 23.

The schools which will be built under PPP Bundle 3 are:

  • Athlone Community College, Co. Westmeath
  • Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim
  • Doon, Co. Limerick
  • Doughiska Post Primary, Co.Galway
  • Merlin Woods Primary School (Doughiska), Co. Galway
  • Creagh College, Gorey, Co. Wexford
  • Coláiste Ailigh, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
  • Tramore, Co. Waterford

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