Samhail Nua Mhaoinithe – cén tionchar d’earnáil na Gaeilge?
January 22, 2014
Six Year Rationalisation Process Concludes
January 21, 2014
A rationalisation process initiated in 2008 came to a conclusion last week with the announcement by Foras na Gaeilge of the six lead-organisations chosen for future funding. With 19 existing bodies being whittled down to just six, a process which was instigated to ‘improve effectiveness and efficiencies’ across the sector has caused great destruction.
19 organisations who had worked collaboratively alongside one another for years, were forced into a situation of fierce competition, categorised into groups by Foras na Gaeilge, and forced to compete head-to-head.
Two radio stations, Raidió na Life and Raidió Fáilte, were granted clemency as their licencing structures prevented them from working on a 32 county basis, a prerequisite for survival under the new structure. An tÁisaonad, an organisation which provides Irish language teaching aids in Northern Ireland were also given leniency, with future funding for this organisation and the two aforementioned radio stations to be made available in future on a schemes basis.
With 3 of the 19 organisations sure of their future, the process then saw 16 other organisations jockeying for position for six golden tickets to ensure their future. Critics at the time claimed the new model could potentially destroy much of the existing language support structures across the 32 counties. The six successful applicants would be invited to take part in a new slim-lined funding structure, and all funding from Foras na Gaeilge to the remaining applicants would be discontinued from 30 June 2014.
While some of the organisations above already have a 32 county mandate, each of their 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. Pobal, Altram, Iontaobhas Ultach, and Forbairt Feirste will lose their funding from mid-2014, which will result in unemployment for their current staff and possible dissolution of the organisations.
As voluntary organisations, many of these groups in theory could continue to exist, however without funding, paid staff or premises, their work will be greatly inhibited.
Speaking in media interviews this week, Foras na Gaeilge spokespersons alluded to a case of lead organisations providing employment for the staff of the unsuccessful organisations, however this has been dispelled as ‘spin-doctoring’ by some participants in the process. In just one of the remits, “Awareness Raising, Language Protection and Representation” three organisations will have their funding discontinued from the end of June which will leave fourteen staff members unemployed: Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge (six staff members) ; Pobal (four staff members); and Iontaobhas Ultach (four staff members). While the chosen lead-organisations may be granted permission to employ one or two more staff to ensure their representation in Northern Ireland, it is unlikely that employment would be available to the remaining 12 employees.
In a statement on Friday, Kevin De Barra, Director of Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, the central steering council for the Irish language voluntary movement, said: “Since 2008 we have publicly flagged the difficulties with the proposed system, however in September 2013 when we chose to partake in the process, we understood that losing our funding was a potential outcome. While Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge will continue as a voluntary organisation, albeit without funding or staff, from now until June 2014 we will be looking at ways of ensuring the projects undertaken to date will continue under the new structure”.
Gaelport.com
Irish obstructed in the north
January 21, 2014
British Government and Northern Ireland Assembly heavily criticised in the latest report from the European Council Committee of Experts on the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.
The European Charter is an important legislation regarding the preservation and promotion of minority and regional languages under European law which came to include Irish, as well as Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, Ulster-Scots and Cornish, when it was signed by the British Government in 2001.
The Committee of Experts reviews the implementation of the Charter at the end of every cycle and in its most recent report, the Committee has blasted the British Government’s approach to the Irish language.
During the on-the-spot visit to the NI Assembly during the most recent cycle, the European Council Committee found that hostile attitudes persisted towards the Irish language in Stormont and, despite the Committee’s recommendation to implement comprehensive language policy in 2009, no steps have been taken towards any policy. The Committee also noted that the promotion of Irish in the six counties remained a contentious subject.
A monitoring report published in November by Pobal, the Irish language advocacy organisation in the north, found that both the British Government and the Northern Ireland Assembly are continually failing to fulfil their legal obligations under the European Charter which is demonstrated by the various obstacles that citizens are faced with while attempting to deal with the State through Irish.
The British Government is obliged to present a report to the European Council every three years regarding the implementation of the Charter however, a disagreement among members of the Assembly regarding the submission resulted in the report being significantly delayed in 2013 as was the case in 2010.
The Committee found that unjustified restrictions on the use of Irish in some fields covered by the Charter, including in courts and the use of bilingual street signage, still persist.
In relation to Irish-medium education, the Committee reported a reluctance in the Department of Education to facilitate and promote Irish-medium education especially at secondary level. The experts noted the lack of teaching materials available and the shortage of qualified secondary teachers in the six counties.
The report emphasised the concern among the Irish-speaking community regarding the provision of Irish-medium preschooling, teacher training, especially at secondary level, and many schools reported a reduction in the number of teachers dedicated to the teaching of Irish in schools.
Janet Muller, CEO of Pobal, said, “We note that the Experts have strongly urged that the Irish Language Act be introduced and it is in our opinion time to publish an agreed target date for its introduction and move forward”.
“As for Part III of the Charter which makes specific provision for Irish in the north, the Experts make significant criticism in relation to current provision in relation to the media, to education, to the courts, to the administrative practice of the political administrations both at the assembly level and local council level – and to the failure of Westminster and the Assembly to report back to the Council of Europe as required under international legislation”, she said.
The Committee of Experts has advised that legislation is required to protect the Irish language and is strongly urging the British Government and the NI Assembly to provide an appropriate legislative base for the protection and promotion of Irish in Northern Ireland.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
Gaelscoil na bhFál – Curaidh Chumann na mBunscoil
January 21, 2014
Siamsóir na Mí
January 20, 2014
Cinneadh Fhoras na Gaeilge i leith na 6 cheanneagraíocht
January 20, 2014
Comórtas Óráidíochta ag Ard Fheis Shinn Féin do mhic léinn agus do dhaoine óga
January 20, 2014
Language Planning Guidelines published
January 17, 2014
The publication of the guidelines regarding the language planning process was announced today by The Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dinny McGinley, T.D.
The guidelines give a view of the language planning process in in accordance with the implementation of the Gaeltacht Act 2012.
Announcing the guidelines, Minister of State McGinley said that the guidelines focus primarily on the community and the organisations that will be responsible for the preparation and implementation of the language plans under the Gaeltacht Act 2012. He also stated that the guidelines will assist the voluntary and the public and private sectors in their role to support the process.
The first notices regarding the 26 Limistéir Pleanála Teanga were announced by the Department in December, they are:
- Ciarraí Thiar
- Cois Fharraige
- Gaoth Dobhair, Rann a Feirste, Anagaire and Loch an Iúir
Organisations and community groups which are located in the named Limistéir Pleanála Teanga, or adjoining regions, now have until 14 March 2014 to apply to Údarás na Gaeltachta. The language planning criteria must be included in the drafting of any language plan in the Limistéir Pleanála Teanga. Following an assessment by Údarás na Gaeltachta which will take up to two months, a lead-organisation will be selected to prepare language plan for that particular region.
Language plans will be prepared over a two year period and following Department approval, plans will be implemented, with assistance from Údarás na Gaeltachta, over a seven year period. Lead-organisations will be representative of the community, community groups, committees and voluntary and language associations in the region.
Click here for more information on the language process.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
Rith 2014 approaching
January 17, 2014
In less than two months Rith 2014 will be upon us.
Rith 2014 is a national Irish language festival that will take place this year between the 7-15 March 2014 during Seachtain na Gaeilge.
On March 7th 2014, the run will commence around the island of Ireland, with the specially designed baton being passed to a different runner and group at the end of each kilometre.
Thousands of people are expected to take part in this nine-day event which will run from morning to night, travel through over 200 towns and 14 counties between Munster, Leinster and Ulster. Rith promotes the Irish language and is also a fundraising event used to promote the development of Irish in the community.
Following on from the success of Rith 2010, in which over 20,000 people took part, and Rith 2012 which was just as successful, Rith 2014 organisers are urging the public to come out and participate in this year. A hand carved baton with a concealed message hidden inside will be carried during the Rith 2014, from start to finish.
From Baile Bhuirne the run will head towards Youghal, the Waterford Gaeltacht of Rinn Ó gCuanach, Waterford city, New Ross Wexford and Arklow. From Dublin the run will continue on to Navan, Kells, Cavan, Clones in Co. Monaghan, Enniskillen in Co. Fermanagh, Omagh, Strabane and onto the town of Lifford in east Co. Donegal.
From there the run will continue onto Maghera in Derry, Armagh, Newry, Downpatrick and on 15 March Rith 2014 will finish in the heart of Belfast where a the special message in the baton will be read out at the closing ceremony.
Rith 2014 is an enjoyable and innovative way for communities to celebrate the Irish language and culture all across Ireland.
To take part in Rith 2014 just visit www.rith.ie.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
Minister Quinn announces JCSA as the new name for the reformed Junior Cycle
January 17, 2014
The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., has today announced that the new name for the reformed Junior Certificate will be the JCSA or Junior Cycle Student Award.
Minister Quinn said, “The overhaul of junior cycle is long over-due and much needed. The new JCSA will put students, rather than exams, at the centre of the three year cycle.
Minister Quinn continued, “Most parents and teachers that I meet are supportive of the need to overhaul junior cycle – for the good of students. However, I do acknowledge that many teachers have legitimate concerns about how these new changes will be introduced in schools.
“A new Working Group on Junior Cycle Reform will meet for the first time this Friday, 17th of January. This working group will be a forum where the concerns of the partners can be heard and addressed over the next number of months and years. The group is made up of representatives from the teacher unions, the ASTI and TUI, management bodies, parents, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment and the Department of Education and Skills.
“While reform of the junior cycle is urgently required, it is being phased in over several years from September 2014. I am determined that the new JCSA will be introduced at a rate which will allow our schools, students and teachers the time to embed these changes.
“We have lost some time over the last few months but I am confident that this group can provide a focus for meaningful and effective dialogue that will address legitimate concerns and enable implementation to proceed,” said the Minister.
“This is an opportunity for all the partners to influence the development and implementation of junior cycle reform and I am fully committed to taking on board the outcomes of the Working Group’s deliberations,” concluded the Minister.
The current Junior Cycle curriculum has been in place for 25 years without any fundamental reform. There is compelling evidence that it is failing some young people as significant numbers of first years do not make progress in the key building blocks of learning: English and Maths.
There is also evidence of students ‘switching off’ in second year and in many cases they never reconnect to learning; while the experience of third year is dominated and narrowed by preparations for the Junior Cert exams. The new JCSA will address these problems and ensure students become informed teenagers and citizens with the tools to achieve their full potential.
www.education.ie
