08 October 2026

An increase in Foras na Gaeilge’s budget was announced in the budget estimate for the organisation on Tuesday. While the increase is only half that which Foras na Gaeilge had requested in our submission to allow us to renew our major community schemes, Scéim Forbartha Líonraí Gaeilge and the Scéim Ionad, it nonetheless provides us with a degree of certainty for the year ahead.

Chief Executive Seán Ó Coinn said, “Thanks to the €1m increase, we hope we will not have to reduce funding for our community schemes. We will now carefully examine the details to assess the impact on our support for the community and on the strategic objectives we have set out.”

Welcoming Minister Calleary’s commitment to his role as Minister for the Gaeltacht, as well as the increase in funding, the Chairperson of Foras na Gaeilge, Professor Regina Uí Chollatáin, said: “I welcome the increase, but it is important to acknowledge that the responsibility for the Irish language across the State does not rest solely with the Minister for the Gaeltacht, the Department of Children, the Department of Education and Youth, and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, in particular, have a duty to demonstrate that this Government is serious about the development of the Irish language in the Gaeltacht and in the rest of the country.”

She said: “While we acknowledge the constraints on public finances, we will be looking forward to important announcements soon from the Department of Children, the Department of Education and Youth, and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage regarding Irish-medium childcare provision outside the Gaeltacht, the provision of Irish-medium secondary schools, and housing provision in the Gaeltacht for 2027.”

Ends

More information:

Anna Davitt, Programme Manager: Communications, Marketing & Awareness, Foras na Gaeilge
Phone: 00 353 87 293 7686
Ríomhphost: adavitt@forasnagaeilge.ie