Public views sought on Irish Language Services in Northern Ireland
November 14, 2012
The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure is seeking the public’s opinion in relation to the development of the Irish Language. The Department has prepared a consultative document which contains the primary aims and objectives in relation to the Irish language in Northern Ireland.
The Programme for Government 2011- 2015 (http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/pfg-2011-2015-final-report.pdf) for Northern Ireland proposed an Irish Language Strategy as a foundation stone in promoting communication between communities and in developing the cultural sector of the jurisdiction. The Strategy’s objectives include enticing more people toward Irish language medium education, developing public services through Irish and increasing access to the Irish language media.
The Department has set out 6 key areas of action to fulfil and obtain the aims and objectives as set out in the strategy. These key areas for action include
• Education
• Family transmission of Irish
• Administration Services and community
• Media and technology
• Legislation and status of the language, and
• Economic life.
Representatives of all Government Departments in Northern Ireland as well as UK Departments operating in Northern Ireland will be responsible for ensuring that progress is being made against the Strategy’s aims, objectives and areas for action. The Strategy will also require cooperation for Departments in Westminister as they are responsible for some public services in Northern Ireland such as broadcasting.
The consultative document may be found on the Department’s website at http://www.dcalni.gov.uk/straieis_le_forbairt_gaeilge.pdf and the public may voice their opinion in relation to the document by visiting the following site https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PZQ3HKP. The deadline for recommendations is 5pm Tuesday 27 November 2012.
