Decision on future of Irish groups in 2013
December 13, 2012
The future of 19 Irish language organisations is still uncertain as ministers from both the Irish Government and Northern Ireland Executive yesterday postponed making a final decision on a new funding structure for the sector until spring 2013.
Minister for Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht Jimmy Dennihan TD as well as Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs Dinny Mcginley TD met with their counterparts Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure Carál Ní Chuilin MLA, and Junior Minister Jonathan Bell MLA at a meeting of the North South Ministerial Council in Armagh yesterday.
It was expected that the ministers were to sign off on a new funding structure which has been sanctioned by the board of language body Foras na Gaeilge.
However a statement issued after the meeting confirms that the funding structure will be discussed at the next meeting of the council in the spring.
It was the NSMC which initially directed Foras na Gaeilge to undertake a review of the Irish language voluntary sector in 2009 .
However there were fears that many of the organisations would be shut down under the controversial ‘Samhail Nua Mhaoinithe’ proposal first mooted in 2010.
That funding structure was rejected earlier this year and Foras na Gaeilge have since been working on a new funding model for the sector.
Organisations currently core-funded by Foras na Gaeilge include Irish language groups such as Altram, An tÁisaonad, An tOireachtas, Glór na nGael, Cumann na bhFiann, Comhaltas Uladh, Comhar na Múinteoirí Gaeilge, Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, Comhlachas Náisiúnta Drámaíochta, Comhluadar, Conradh na Gaeilge, Forbairt Naíonraí Teoranta, Forbairt Feirste, Gael Linn, Gaelscoileanna Teo, Iontaobhas Ultach, Pobal, Raidió Fáilte and Raidió na Life.
The organisations have been sanctioned interim funding until June 2013.
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