Council agrees new funding model needed for Foras na Gaeilge

Addressing Derry City and Strabane District Council in Irish, Cllr Antaine Ó Fearghail (Sinn Féin) welcomed the recent announcement of the appointment of and Irish Language Commissioner. 

Cllr Ó Fearghail highlighted however the “positive” news of a commissioner came on the back of cuts to the budget of the Irish language organisation Foras na Gaeilge. 

As a result, he brought forward the proposal that “Council, further to its commitment to facilitate and encourage the promotion of Irish throughout our council area, writes to Executive ministers seeking a new adequate funding model”. 

Cllr Ó Fearghail said: “Foras na Gaeilge was set up as a result of the Good Friday Agreement and it is responsible for promoting the Irish language throughout the Island of Ireland. It gets 75% of its funding from the Dublin Government and 25% from the Executive.

“This funding model is no longer fit for purpose and unfortunately the new funding model has been rejected and because of this Foras na Gaeilge has had to come up with cutbacks and it has resulted in it cutting back €800,000.

“These cutbacks are going to have a huge impact on Irish language organisations throughout our Council area. These groups deliver invaluable services to the promotion of the Irish Language in our area. The Irish language in our Council area is actually thriving because of the work of these groups.

“We look at the amount of gaelscoileanna and naíscoileanna and the Cultúrlann in Derry and Gaelscoil Ui Dhochartaigh in Strabane. These things would never have been built if it had not been for groups on the ground promoting the Irish language. Those groups were all funded through the years by Foras na Gaeilge,” said Cllr Ó Fearghail.

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The Derg councillor said he was asking Derry City and Strabane District Council to write to the Executive ministers requesting a new model of funding, because of Council’s previous commitment to “promoting and facilitating” the Irish language.

“The one that’s in operation at the minute isn’t acceptable,” he added. “It is past its sell by date. Go raibh míle maith agaibh.”

Cllr Sean Mooney (SDLP) said that both Governments had to keep the funding for Foras na Gaeilge in tact. 

“We saw that as a result of funding insecurity there were strikes and possible economic losses through jobs. It is really important this Council endorses this approach. 

“I hope the relevant department within the Executive in Belfast opens its doors and has meetings with these communities and these organisations and moves this matter on,” said Cllr Mooney. 

Cllr Ó Fearghail’s motion was passed with a majority of councillors voting in favour.