Foras na Gaeilge welcomes the 2018-2022 Action Plan for the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 launched by Government Chief Whip and Minister of State for Irish, the Gaeltacht and Islands Joe McHugh TD today in Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair. In partnership with other stakeholders, Foras na Gaeilge will have a role in implementing the five year plan which sets out main goals for nine areas for action including education and dictionaries.

Speaking at the launch event the today, Foras na Gaeilge Chief Executive Seán Ó Coinn said, “Momentum was lost in the early years due to the economic crisis, causing the public to become disillusioned with the progress of the strategy.  But it is worth recognising that there has been a significant change in recent years and it is clear that the government now intends to increase their efforts to tackle the challenge of developing Irish in the Gaeltacht and in the rest of the country. Foras na Gaeilge strongly supports the partnership approach recommended between government departments and organisations, and we ask the public, both the Irish language community and those who are not fluent, to continue to be involved. Although government departments and state and public organisations are responsible for achieving the goals, we will heavily rely on the public’s co-ownership of the strategy.”

Foras na Gaeilge commends this effort by the government to compensate for the poor start in those early years by tackling the challenges of the 20 Year Strategy for Irish 2010-2030 with the five year implementation plan. Speaking after the launch of the action plan, Foras na Gaeilge Chairperson Pól Ó Gallchóir said, “We are proud of the part Foras na Gaeilge will play in this work, in partnership with our colleagues in Údarás na Gaeltachta, in the Irish language lead organisations, and especially in the other government departments. With the commitment shown by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the Department of Education and Skills and state bodies, there is no doubt that significant progress can be made in the period from now until five years.”

Foras na Gaeilge congratulates An Taoiseach and the Minister of State for their commitment to the Irish language and for showing leadership to their government colleagues, not only in terms of their continuing efforts to use Irish, but also their support for it.

Ends

Further Information:

Anna Davitt, Programme Manager: Communications, Marketing & Awareness, Foras na Gaeilge

Contact: 0035387 673 6175 | Email: adavitt@forasnagaeilge.ie