PRESS RELEASE

15 September 2026

The Board of Foras na Gaeilge made several important decisions at its Board meeting on 11 September 2026 at its Dublin Headquarters regarding the development of the Irish language and support for community organisations.

The Board has asked the senior management team to develop definite plans for an interpretation centre for the Irish language in Belfast City and to formally enter discussions with stakeholders. This work will aim to explore possibilities for the creation of a facility that would showcase the history, culture and contemporary development of the Irish language to the public and visitors.

As the Board discussed plans for 2027, they decided to approve a one-year extension for two of Foras na Gaeilge's main community schemes, namely:

• An Scéim Ionaid Ghaeilge (The Irish Language Centre Scheme), which provides support to 16 Irish language centres across the island; and
• Scéim Forbartha Líonraí Gaeilge, (Irish Language Network Development Scheme), which provides funding to 36 community groups to employ 28 Irish language officers and to promote language development activities.

This extension will ensure that the necessary support will continue for the organisations and communities until there is certainty about Foras na Gaeilge's funding from the budget estimates in the south later this autumn. Foras na Gaeilge is expecting a significant increase in their budget to build on the increase provided by Minister Dara Calleary in 2026 – the first significant increase in the previous 5 years.

The Board was advised that further iterations of these community schemes would depend on budget estimates in the south and, accordingly, decisions could not be made on the extension of the schemes, until there was clarity on the increase in funding available to Foras na Gaeilge in 2027.

Speaking after the meeting, the Chairperson of the Board, Professor Regina Uí Chollatáin, said, "These decisions demonstrate Foras na Gaeilge's continued commitment to the development of the Irish language on a strategic basis and to ensuring that the best use is made of the resources available to meet the needs of the Irish language community throughout the island."

Ends

More information

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