New Language Support Scheme to replace Scéim Labhairt na Gaeilge
May 1, 2012
A new government scheme to promote the Irish language will focus on Gaeltacht families but information will available to other families wishing to raise their families through Irish.
Last Thursday Minister State for the Gaeltacht Dinny McGinley TD announced the Family Language Support Scheme. The new support scheme will replace The Scéim labhairt na Gaeilge scheme that ceased at the end of the last school year.
Speaking at the launch in Indreabhán, Co. Galway. The Minister of State said the language support scheme involves a “new approach” that will make a “considerable difference” to the implementation of the 20-Year-Strategy on the ground.
The date implementation of the full programme is stlll unknown but it is set to be done in twelve policy areas.
Information leaflet
The first step was the publication of an information leaflet for families availaing of maternity services in Galway, Letterkenny and Castlebar. The bilingual leaflet advises parents of sever advantages of learning Irish. The leaflet will be introduced to other hospitals serving families from other Gaeltacht areas over time.
Families will have to contact the Department however if they want to order a copy of the support pack upon receiving the leaflet.
The support scheme includes developing an awareness campaign in conjunction with the Health Service Executive (HSE) through distributing an information leaflet detailing the advantages of raising children through Irish, to expectant mothers and mothers of new-born babies.
An awareness campaign directed toward pre married couples in conjunction with the relevant church authorities will also be developed and assistance will be provided to community based organisation in organising language related events.
Summer Camps Expansion
The Department intends to broaden out its summer camp schemes currently available to 4-7 year old age group, to those aged 3-6 years old and 7-14 years old and the Department will no longer recognise summer camps with more than 50 participants.
The language assistance scheme will be further developed under the new support scheme by developing the programme to cater for students in Gaeltacht Schools to increase their standard of Irish. Extra reading, visual and oral support will be provided to the language assistance and a working and training programme will be developed for language assistance in conjunction with organisations who operate the scheme on behalf of the Department.
Programme to go “Viral”
The new scheme will also develop teenagers aged 15-17 years leadership skills by organising training programmes where the can qualify to be Gaeltacht Summer College assistants.
The programme will also develop asocial media strategy using viral videos will be directed at young people with the aim informing them of the benefits of speaking Irish. A new portal web site will also be developed to inform parents of the Irish language resources available to them.
Until the website is developed however, the main point of contact will be through email and phone. Parents interested in taking part in the programme should call 091 503700 or email ctt@ahg.gov.ie
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