Grant of €75,000 towards New Language Support Scheme
September 18, 2012
A grant of €75,000 has been announced by Minister of State Dinny McGinley towards the running costs of athletics classes in Conamara’s Gaeltacht primary schools.
The grant has been awarded to Muintearas Teo. for the 2012/2013 school year adding to the development of the New Language Support Scheme (An Clár Tacaíochta Teaghlaigh) within the region and the continued implementation of the programme through various community projects.
This is the second grant received by Muintearas Teo., a community education project, in the last week. Minister McGinley announced a grant of €762,378 last Wednesday to be allocated to Muintearas Teo. and Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne towards the development of Gaeltacht language services, a key part of the new support programme.
Scéim na gCúntóirí Teanga, a language assistance scheme, was announced the Department of Arts, Heritage and An Ghaeltacht in April as a central aspect of An Clár Tacaíochta Teaghlaigh. The scheme focuses on improving and enriching Irish among Gaeltacht children through the provision of language assistants within Gaeltacht schools.
It was announced in early summer that An Clár Tacaíochta Teaghlaigh would replace the original Government supported Irish Speaking Scheme, as a support service for parents who wish to raise their children through Irish.
Under the new programme, grants will no longer be allocated to individual households as a support system, a practice that had been carried out under the previous scheme. The new programme will provide parents with a practical and facilitating support service.
It is hoped the new programme will provide parents with a national network of Irish-speaking households. An ClárTacaíochta Teaghlaigh will act as a practical support mainly for Gaeltacht families who wish to have Irish as the first language however, certain non-Gaeltacht households will be allowed to register.
The programme is aimed at all groups from expectant parents and preschool children to teenagers, households in which Irish is already the first language and families who wish it to be. The programme provides parents with information packs including the educational and health services that are available to them as well as information regarding the benefits and proven methods for raising children through Irish.
For more information about An Clár Tacaíochta Teaghlaigh visit http://www.ahg.gov.ie/ie/AnGhaeltacht/ClairTheangalarnaithe/AnClarTacaiochtaTeaghlaigh.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
