Implications of new funding model discussed in NI Assembly
February 17, 2014
Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) deliberates concerns expressed by core-funded organisations in the north
Last month, Foras na Gaeilge announced that Gaelscoileanna, Conradh na Gaeilge, Gael Linn, Oireachtas na Gaeilge, Glór na nGael, and Cumann na bhFiann has been selected as the six lead-organisations that will operate in the Irish Language Voluntary Sector under the new funding model. Funding to the organisations that were unsuccessful in the process, including Forbairt Feirste, Pobal, Iontaobhas Ultach and Altram, will cease at the end of June 2014.
The meeting which took place on Thursday, 13 February, in Stormont was attended by Foras na Gaeilge’s Deputy CEO and Director of Development Services. CEO, Ferdie Mac an Fhailigh was unable to attend. Representatives from Iontaobhas Ultach and Altram attended and a statement was read out on behalf of Pobal, who were absent due to a conference on the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages.
Under the new system, lead-organisations will operate on 32 county basis. Each of the six lead-organisations’ 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.
Concern
Speaking at the meeting, Director of Iontaobhas Ultach, Aodán Mac Póilín, said that there is a real danger that one jurisdiction will be marginalised in a lead-organisation. He stated that the situation in both jurisdictions is completely different and while lead-organisations will be more than capable dealing with certain issues, the expertise is not there when it comes to legislative and cross-community. When asked if the right organisation had been chosen to lead the particular category in which Iontaobhas Ultach was included, Aodán Mac Póilín siad that no organisation, including Iontaobhas Ultach, is equipped to deal with issues effectively in both jurisdictions. He said that the wrong model had been chosen by Foras na Gaeilge and the application process was flawed from the beginning.
Chair of Altram, Áine Andrews, argued that education cannot be treated on an all-island basis. Andrews stated that preschool education is not a priority within the general education sector and could be undermined in an organisation with a broad remit such as Gaelscoileanna Teoranta, who will now be responsible for Gaelscoileanna, post-primary schools, Gaeltacht schools and preschool education. Andrews argued that a Dublin organisation is ill-equipped to deal with the complex system in the north and the organisations are not confident that the staff recruited in the six counties will be sufficient to tackle issues.
Every lead-organisation will have to recruit staff and open an office in the six counties. Foras na Gaeilge have said that 25% of staff must be based in the six counties. According to Foras na Gaeilge, the expertise within the sector is invaluable and lead-organisations have been advised to keep that experience within the sector as much as possible. It has been confirmed that jobs will be lost under the new model and Foras na Gaeilge will not be providing any funding for redundancy payments. Aodán Mac Póilín claimed that for certain organisations who receive no other funding. There will be no option but to claim bankruptcy, ending any chances of continuing as voluntary organisations.
The committee was informed during the meeting that several organisations made attempts to form confederations throughout the application process. Iontaobhas Ultach, Pobal and Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge agreed to enter the process as a confederate and Altram, Forbairt Naíonraí Teoranta, and eventually Gaelscoileanna Teoranta, also attempted to come together however, Foras an Gaeilge rejected all efforts and prohibited all lead-organisations from providing funding to other organisations. While Foras na Gaeilge were willing to accept organisation mergers, many groups believed that it was impossible for one organisation to cover such a broad remit.
The best way forward
Referring to the bias mentioned by several parties throughout the meeting, Deputy CEO of Foras na Gaeilge, Seán Ó Coinn, said that Foras na Gaeilge is an all-island body that had made huge investments in the promotion of Irish in the six counties since 1999. He said that 19 organisations are funded through Scéim na Gaeilge, including 11 organisations based in the north, as well as Summer camps, Cultúrlann McAdaim Ó Fiaich, Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin and many other projects. Ó Coinn stated that the Irish language sector in Northern Ireland is not made up of core-funded organisations alone.
The committee was told that Raidió Fáilte and an tÁisaonad would continue to be funded under the new system and that Comhaltas Uladh will operate as part of Conradh na Gaeilge. Gael Linn will continue to carry out important work from the office in Armagh and Glór na nGael will be developing their activities throughout the six counties. For the first time ever Cumann na bhFiann will bring their model for language development to the six counties and Oireachtas na Gaeilge will work with communities all around the country.
Ó Coinn praised the work carried out by the core-funded organisations up until now and emphasised the importance of the expertise gained over the years. He described how Foras na Gaeilge will be focussing on work in the community from here on out and they believe that the system of lead-organisations is the best way forward. According to Foras na Gaeilge, the new approach will require all six lead-organisations to to seek to replicate the same success in the north and will be required by An Foras to do so.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
