National School Review by Dept. Education
March 3, 2011
The Department of Education is currently looking for submissions in relation to a review they are undertaking at present relating to small national schools (less than 50 pupils).
Many small Gaeltacht schools will be affected by this review and there may be cases where schools could be asked to amalgamate with other schools where the medium of instruction is not Irish.
Guth na Gaeltachta is asking supporters to demonstrate support for these schools by making a submission to the Department of Education outlining the importance of these schools for language support and the local community in general.
Submissions need to be sent in before 18 March.
Positive promotion of the Irish language must be central to Programme for Government 2011-2016
March 3, 2011
Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge extends its congratulations to all who were elected as Teachtaí Dála for the period 2011-2016. Now that the results of the election have been announced in almost all constituencies, a new Government will soon be established, and the Programme for Government will be confirmed. An Chomhdháil will work to ensure that Irish language issues are addressed within the Programme for Government.
The pre-election campaign undertaken by Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge centred around four distinct principles: The importance of the Irish language as part of our national identity; Protecting and strengthening the status of the Irish language; Promotion of Irish as a living language both inside and outside of An Ghaeltacht; and the right of each citizen to use Irish in every aspect of their life.
Prior to the election, An Chomhdháil submitted a list of demands to all political parties, and all independent candidates throughout the country, and An Chomhdháil intends to work diligently over the coming weeks to ensure this list of 10 demands is taken into account when the Programme for Government 2011-2016 is being prepared.
Pádraig Mac Criostail, Director of Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge said: “An Chomhdháil demands that the Irish language policy effected by the next Government have a factual basis and utilise the measures of best practice from the field of language planning. We will contact each member of the new Government to ensure that each of our 10 priorities for the Programme for Government 2011-2016 are fully implemented”.
Independent Candidates support Leaving Cert Irish
February 16, 2011
31 independent candidates for the General Election expressed their support today for the Irish language as a core subject in the Leaving Certificate.
This follows a recent study on attitudes towards Irish as a school subject commissioned by Comhar na Múinteoirí Gaeilge, Conradh na Gaeilge, Gael Linn, Gaelscoileanna Teoranta and Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge and carried out by MRBI/Ipsos.
The results of the study indicate support of 61% in favour of the retention of the Irish language as a core Leaving Certificate subject.
The independent candidates from constituencies across Ireland expressed their belief that all students are entitled to learn their national language. They pledged their full support for retention of the Irish language as one of the core subjects at Leaving Certificate level and for maintaining its current status as a minimum entry requirement to third level courses.
The 31 candidates who expressed their support for the Irish language as signatories of the letter sent to the national press include:
James Breen- Clare
Sarah Ferrigan-Clare
Pádraig O Sullivan- Cork North Central
Paul O Neill – Cork East
Mick Finn- Cork South Central
Diarmaid Ó Cadhla – Cork South Central
John Kearney -Cork South West
Michael O Sullivan- Cork South West
Michael Healy Rae- Kerry South
John Dillon- Limerick
Séamus Sherlock-Limerick
Dr. Ben Nutty- Waterford
Eamon Walsh- Galway West
Catherine Connolly – Galway West
Mike Cubbard – Galway West
Noel Grealish – Galway West
Michael Kilcoyne- Mayo
Luke Ming Flanagan – Roscommon/South Leitrim
John McDermott – Roscommon/South Leitrim
Gabriel McSharry Sligo/North Leitrim
Cllr Seamus Treanor- Cavan/Monaghan
Caroline Forde – Cavan/Monaghan
Ian McGarvey – Donegal North East
Thomas Pringle- Donegal South West
Stephen McCahill- Donegal South West
Eugene Finnegan-Wicklow
Michael J Loftus- Dublin North West
Maureen O’Sullivan- Dublin Central
Christy Burke- Dublin Central
Cieran Perry- Dublin Central
Raymond Whitehead-Dublin South
Irish as a core Leaving Cert subject discussed in Donegal
February 16, 2011
150 people attended a public meeting organised by Guth na Gaeltachta and Coiste na mBan Tí i dTír Chonaill last night in Gaoth Dobhair, to discuss the policies on the Irish language held by various political parties. While all candidates in the Donegal South West constituency were invited, those who attended included John Duffy, The Green Party, Piaras Ó Dochartaigh, Sinn Féin; Brian Ó Domhnaill, Fianna Fáil; agus Dinny McGinley, Fine Gael.
Earlier yesterday, Fine Gael leader, Enda Kenny, announced his party’s election manifesto, in Dublin. In this document, (Page 52) the question of the Irish language as a core-subject at Leaving Certificate level is raised, and it states, that Fine Gael believe compulsory Irish failed to promote the language or a love for the language.
While each party were present to announce their own policies in relation to the Irish language, much of the discussion centred around Fine Gael’s manifesto, and the Irish language as a core-subject at Leaving Cert level.
Suirbhé ar Mheon an Phobail i Leith na Gaeilge sa Chóras Oideachais
February 10, 2011
Irish language policy document for Election 2011
February 8, 2011
An Chomhdháil has published a new policy document outlining the commitments sought by the Irish language and Gaeltacht communities in the forthcoming general election. These commitments are based on issues discussed at a political debate on the Irish language hosted by Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge last week.
Amongst the issues discussed were Irish as a Leaving Certificate subject, the starus of Irish language in the Civil Service, the support structures for the 20 Year Irish Language Strategy as well as the enterprise development role of Údarás na Gaeltachta.
Arising from the seminar, below are the preliminary demands for election 2011 which Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge will discuss with all political parties:
An Ghaeltacht
• An Chomhdháil demands adequate resources and supports be provided to Údarás na Gaeltachta to maintain its enterprise functions in Gaeltacht areas.
• An Chomhdháil demands every support be given to families who wish to raise their children through Irish, both in Gaeltacht areas and across the country.
20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language
• An Chomhdháil demands the correct structures be established to implement the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish language effectively and efficiently, and that the expertise and skills of the Irish language voluntary sector be utilised fully in this regard.
• An Chomhdháil demands that the functions of Údarás na Gaeltachta be clarified, and ratified in the necessary legislation, and that a timescale be laid down for the enactment of such required legislation, which will give the Strategy a legislative foothold.
Irish in the Education System
• An Chomhdháil demands full support be given to the Irish language as a core subject at Leaving Certificate level, and as a minimum entry requirement to third level courses.
• An Chomhdháil demands that a provision be made in the education system to provide an Irish language curriculum which takes into account the requirements of students who are fluent in the language.
• An Chomhdháil demands a review of the education system, to find better methods of ensuring all children at both primary and secondary level are fully proficient in Irish.
• An Chomhdháil demands provision be made to facilitate the requirements of parents in relation to Irish language education.
Irish in the Civil Service
• An Chomhdháil demands the Official Languages Act 2003 be fully implemented across the entire Civil Service.
• An Chomhdháil demands the Civil Service be reorganised in order to provide increased services through Irish on a proactive basis. Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge recommends exercising positive discrimination in the Civil Service recruitment process in favour of candidates who are competent in both English and Irish.
Speaking at the public seminar, Director of Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, Pádraig Mac Criostail commented: “In order to improve the status of the Irish language, it is necessary that Irish language policies, effected by the next Government, have a factual basis, and utilise the measures of best practice from the field of language planning.”
“The election demands outlined by Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge draw on the expertise of the Irish language sector, and on public consultation. An Chomhdháil will seek assurances on each of the above demands from all parties”, he added.
Further information about this public seminar is available online at www.gaelport.com/seiminearpoibli.
The first steps towards a viable Irish Language Strategy
February 8, 2011
At a public seminar hosted yesterday by Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, experts in language planning, in relation to the Irish language, spoke on the steps which must be taken to implement the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language.
Speaking at the seminar, Chairperson of Údarás na Gaeltachta, Liam Ó Cuinneagáin said: “It is important that the proposed role of Údarás na Gaeltachta is clarified, and that the methods of implementation of the Strategy are agreed. While the proposed role of Údarás na Gaeltachta is a national one, an tÚdarás will continue to function in Gaeltacht regions only, until such a time as the relevant arrangements have been made to give an tÚdarás a national function”.
The Irish language Commissioner, Seán Ó Cuireáin, spoke of the results which were now apparent from a decision taken in the 1970s, to remove the requirement of civil servants to be competent in both English and Irish, and declared this decision an “abject failure” for the Irish language. He cited the Department of Education and Skills, which recently revealed that only 1.5% of its administrative staff had sufficient competence in Irish to be able to provide service in that language. “That department is by no means unique and the absence of competence in Irish is common through most Government departments and agencies,” he said.
Speaking at a political debate on the Irish language held as part of the seminar were: Minister Pat Carey T.D., Fianna Fáil; Frank Feighan, TD., Fine Gael; Brian O’Shea, T.D., The Labour Party; Aengus Ó Snodaigh, T.D., Sinn Féin; and Dominic Ó Brollcháin, MLA, SDLP. Among the issues discussed were, Irish as a Leaving Certificate subject, addressing the Irish language in the Civil Service, support structures for the 20 Year Irish Language Strategy and an implementation plan for the Strategy, and the issue of the functions of Údarás na Gaeltachta.
Arising from the seminar, below are the preliminary demands for election 2011 which Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge will discuss with all political parties:
An Ghaeltacht
• An Chomhdháil demands adequate resources and supports are provided to Údarás na Gaeltachta to maintain its enterprise functions in Gaeltacht areas.
• An Chomhdháil demands every support be given to families who wish to raise their children through Irish, both in Gaeltacht areas and across the country.
20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language
• An Chomhdháil demands the correct structures be established to implement the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish language effectively and efficiently, and that the expertise and skills of the Irish language voluntary sector be utilised fully in this regard.
• An Chomhdháil demands that the functions of Údarás na Gaeltachta be clarified, and ratified in the necessary legislation, and that a timescale be laid down for the enactment of such required legislation, which will give the Strategy a legislative foothold.
Irish in the Education System
• An Chomhdháil demands full support be given to the Irish language as a core subject at Leaving Certificate level, and as a minimum entry requirement to third level courses.
• An Chomhdháil demands that a provision be made in the education system to provide an Irish language curriculum which takes into account the requirements of students who are fluent in the language.
• An Chomhdháil demands a review of the education system, to find better methods of ensuring all children at both primary and secondary level are fully proficient in Irish.
• An Chomhdháil demands provision is made to facilitate the requirements of parents in relation to Irish language education.
Irish in the Civil Service
• An Chomhdháil demands the Official Languages Act 2003 be fully implemented across the entire Civil Service.
• An Chomhdháil demands the Civil Service be reorganised in order to provide increased services through Irish on a proactive basis.
Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge recommends exercising affirmative action in the Civil Service recruitment process in favour of candidates who are competent in both English and Irish.
Speaking at the public seminar, Director of Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, Pádraig Mac Criostail commented: “In order to improve the status of the Irish language, it is necessary that Irish language policies, effected by the next Government, have a factual basis, and utilise the measures of best practice from the field of language planning. The election demands outlined by Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge draw on the expertise of the Irish language sector, and on public consultation. An Chomhdháil will seek assurances on each of the above demands from all parties”.
Published on Gaelport.com 4 February 2011
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