Language Planning Criteria announced
September 20, 2013
The Regulations prescribing the language planning criteria under section 12 of the Gaeltacht Act 2012 were announced by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht this week. These criteria will be used to evaluate language plans prepared for Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas, Gaeltacht Service Towns and Irish Language Networks.
Under the Gaeltacht Act 2012, the Gaeltacht was divided into 19 separate language planning regions, with the intention that a unique language plan would be drafted for each selected region. It was agreed at that time that a supervisory body would be named in each region to work alongside Údarás na Gaeltachta in implementing the language plan on the ground. In May of this year, it was announced that the language planning areas had been redefined, which meant an increase from 19 distinct areas to 26.
Announcing the new criteria, Minister of State, Dinny McGinley, T.D., said: “The publication of these criteria signifies another step forward in the language planning process. As a result of these Regulations, there is clarity regarding the criteria which will be used by my Department in the assessment of language plans prior to their approval. Based on this process, various areas may be designated as Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas, as Gaeltacht Service Towns or as Irish Language Networks, as appropriate, in accordance with the Gaeltacht Act.”
The bullet points below outline the next steps to be undertaken by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, in conjunction with Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge, to progress the language planning process:
- The Department is preparing guidelines, in conjunction with Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge, which will set out a transparent process for the preparation, implementation and assessment of language plans in the areas, towns and networks. These guidelines will assist the community organisations undertaking the language planning process on the ground.
- Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge are preparing a transparent system by which organisations will be chosen to prepare and implement language plans in the various areas.
- The Department is preparing notices, in conjunction with Údarás na Gaeltachta, under section 7(3) of the Act which will define the various electoral divisions included in the 26 Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas.
The language planning criteria can be viewed by clicking the following link: Ionstraimí Reachtúla IR 357 de 2013 (Critéir Pleanála Teanga).pdf
