Irish language funding axed by Education Department

The Education Department’s decision to axe funding for the Léargas programme has been heavily criticised locally.

The Department announced it was ceasing funding for the programme, on Tuesday.

Locally the Léargas programme, which provides Irish lessons for children attending English-medium primary schools, is run by Cultúrlann Úí Chanáin.

The programme provides approximately 1,600 students, between 9 and 11 years old, with up to 75 Irish lessons a week. In its 10 years of operation Léargas has been rolled out to 14 schools in Derry and one in Strabane.

Carol Nic Conmara, the education co-ordinator at Cultúrlann Úí Chanáin said there was a huge demand for the programme locally.

The centre warned it would be unable to sustain the existing level of lessons without the Education Department funding.

Speaking to Derry Now, Gaeilgeoir Seán Mac Cearáin, Aontú Foyleside candidate in the upcoming local election described the decision as a “big blow to the Irish language in Derry”.

Mr Mac Cearáin said: “Léargas is one of the better Irish language projects in the city and it will be a huge loss to the North West if the  Irish language classes offered through the scheme stop as a result of the Education Department’s decision to cease its funding.

“This is a big blow to the language in the sense that Irish language tutors went out to primary schools and engaged with young people, awakening their interest in Irish. It was a valuable addition to the children’s education.

“In addition, there may be job loss implications as a result of the withdrawal of funding from the Léargas programme but I sincerely hope this can be avoided,” said Seán Mac Cearáin.

Mark Durkan MLA (SDLP) said he was “hugely disappointed” to learn the Léargas scheme was the latest provision facing the “incredulous cuts” within the education sector.

He added: “The decision is devastating and will see a loss to the Irish Language being taught officially in any school outside of Irish medium schools.“I’m acutely aware that difficult decisions must be made given budget pressures facing the department at this time however, given the value and cultural significance of this scheme.

“It’s crucial that funding must be secured to ensure its continuation.

“The Léargas scheme connects children in Derry with counterparts in the Irish Medium Sector, with the wider Irish Language community in the city and creates a vision for a Derry in which all identities, languages, and cultural backgrounds are celebrated.

“For ten years, Léargas has connected children in schools across the North with their counterparts in the Irish Medium Sector. It has helped to create a more inclusive community which celebrates all identities and languages. That legacy must not be lost. I’ve written to the Education Permanent Secretary urging intervention to save this scheme.”