At a Foras na Gaeilge board meeting on 24 July, grants worth €340,309 were approved for the Youth Events Scheme 2020/21. The scheme will give opportunities to young people to use Irish outside of school and it will encourage the speaking of Irish in an enjoyable way.

The grants will enable the groups to organise at least twelve sessions during the school year period, focused on young people between three years and eighteen years old. It is estimated that more than 6,800 children will have an opportunity to take part in the activities in 2020 and 2021, more than 2,000 more children than the 2019/2020 scheme.

The Foras na Gaeilge chief executive, Seán Ó Coinn, said, “Schemes like this are more important now with the restrictions on young people’s education, to provide young people with opportunities to socialise through Irish and create and strengthen social networks – whether virtual or physical. This is the largest grant we have provided in this area for several years, as we recognise the particular needs of this area currently. The voluntary organisations and dedicated volunteers throughout the country ensuring that these opportunities are available are to be praised.”

It was reported to the board that the New English-Irish Dictionary has been printed and that it will be delivered to book shops over the summer. A new campaign will be launched in September to publicise the landmark publication.

The consultation on Scéim Pobal Gaeilge (Irish Language Communities Scheme) was completed on 17 July and received a good response. A report will be compiled as well as recommendations on the way forward for the board after the summer.

End

Further information
Anna Davitt, Programme Manager: Communication, Marketing & Awareness, Foras na Gaeilge
Tel: 0035387 673 6175 Email: adavitt@forasnagaeilge.ie