Recommendations from Tóstal na Gaeilge 2013
February 27, 2013
Irish speakers gathered in Dublin for Tóstal na Gaeilge on February 16 2013, where a lively discussion on the implementation of the government’s 20 Year Strategy for the Irish language and Irish language policy took place.
The theme of this year’s conference which was organised by Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge was “Beart de réir Briathair” which loosely translates as practice as you preach.
The conference saw politicians, language planning experts, members of the public service and members of the Irish language community come together to discuss the most pertinent issues facing the Irish language today.
Following the event, Director of Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge Kevin De Barra state that “ Community leaders and representatives at this year’s Tóstal have asked Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge to enter into discussions with the Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan TD, with Minster of State Dinny McGinley TD and with senior civil servants”.
An urgent meeting to discuss educational policy in Gaeltacht areas will also be sought with Minister for Education and Skills Ruairí Quinn TD.
“ The Government now has the chance to provide a solution to queries raised by Gaeltacht communities and Irish speakers. It’s time for real leadership and for the new language planning process to be operated in an open, comprehensive and democratic manner”.
Recommendations made at Tóstal na Gaeilge 2013
Gaeltacht Education
• It is recommended that the Irish language education council An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) operate as a satailte of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) to provide advice but in an independent capacity, and that its work continues through the medium of the Irish language.
• It is recommended that the budgets of COGG be ring fenced and distributed at the discretion of COGG.
• The Department of Education and Skills should formulate a complete educational policy for Gaeltacht schools.
• Supports should be provided to Gaeltacht schools to enable them to implement a policy of language immersion education.
Supports for Parents
• Further supports for social events for parents who are trying to raise their families through the medium of the Irish language should be provided.
• Schemes such as Tús Maith language scheme in West Kerry Gaeltacht should be developed and supported
• Further information about the government’s Family Support Programme (Clár Tacaíochta Teaghlaigh) should be made available to the public and it is recommended that the public have a greater role in developing this programme.
• A full review of the information leaflet and information package for new parents should take place to ensure that the most relevant information is provided and the Department should ensure that this information is easily accessible by new/prospective parents.
• The goals of the government’s Family Support Programme should be clarified for the public.
20 Year Strategy for the Irish language
• It is recommended that government addresses the concerns of the Irish speaking community over the implementation of the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish language.
• It is recommended that the stages of the implementation be clarified and that the government provides a thorough outline of the goals and implementation of the strategy as well as short term and long term results.
• It is recommended that the public have access to and are fully informed of decisions made by higher level inter-departmental groups concerning the strategy.
• The community and voluntary sector seeks to have a greater role in the implementatation of the strategy.
Language Planning Process
• It is recommended that Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge and the wider voluntary sector work with Údarás na Gaeltachta and with community organisations to implement the 20 Year Strategy.
• Further clarification is needed about the role of the language planning department of Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge in the language planning process.
• Further resources and funding should be supplied to community groups to ensure that they would be enabled to implement language planning policies at a local level.
Language Rights
• The full results of the review of the Official Languages Act should be published and made available to the public.
• The Office of An Coimisinéir Teanga should be fully supported.
• Language rights under the Official Languages Act and Bunreacht na hÉireann as outlined by the Supreme Court in the Ó Beoláin case should be protected and supported.
Irish language Voluntary Sector
• Issues pertaining to the funding of the Irish language voluntary sector should be addressed and every support should be provided for existing aspects of language support structures.
• Full and open discussions between all stakeholders, governments, public service, Irish language organisations and Irish language community should take place in the context of supporting the sector as opposed to destroying the Irish language voluntary sector.
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