Foras na Gaeilge has welcomed an announcement issued this morning that extra funding is to be provided for projects to be completed before the end of 2016 and that an extra allowance of more that €750,000 is to be added to the Foras na Gaeilge Budget in 2017.

Speaking today the Chief Executive of Foras na Gaeilge, Seán Ó Coinn, said, “We are delighted that €260,000 has been made available to Foras na Gaeilge to support proposals which will be completed before the end of the year. Among the proposals which will be supported will be a Support Package for a Pilot Support Scheme for Irish-medium education families, which will support families speaking Irish in the home.

Welcoming the extra funding of €750,000 approved by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs for 2017, Ó Coinn said, “We have long been waiting for the day when the cuts would come to an end and it is a great relief for us that this extra funding is available to us during 2017. We greatly appreciate the commitment shown by the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys T.D. and the Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs, Seán Kyne T.D., by finding extra funding for resources to cater for the demand from the public at a time when government budgets are under great pressure from various sources. We are sure that the Irish language Lead Organisations, who have continuously made a case for a time now that the Foras na Gaeilge budget be increase, will welcome today’s announcement.

Speaking about the plans for the extra funding provided for 2017, Ó Coinn said that it was a “positive and new development” for Foras na Gaeilge and that the “priorities for the funding will be discussed by senior management and the new chairperson, Pól Ó Gallchóir, with the new Foras na Gaeilge board early in 2017.”

Further Information:

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

Tel: 0035387 673 6175    

Email: adavitt@forasnagaeilge.ie