1.      Introduction

Foras na Gaeilge is pleased to publish its Strategic Direction for 2025-2030. The Strategic Direction aims to identify the organisation’s work priorities for the coming years at a high strategic level.

The document is available here.

A large print version is available here.

Here are the directions if you are using a screen reader:

·         Open the Strategic Direction in Acrobat Reader.

·         Go to Read out loud and select Activate read out loud.

More detailed information on specific resources, targets and implementation deadlines will be provided in the next Corporate Plan (2026-2028), which is currently being developed, and in the annual Business Plans that we agree with the two Sponsoring Departments. The implementation of the Strategic Direction is subject to the continued availability of sufficient resources for Foras na Gaeilge, a necessity that is recognised in all our corporate documents.

2.      Consultation process

A draft of the Strategic Direction 2025-2030 was published in June 2024, based on discussions with staff and the Board of Foras na Gaeilge and external experts on various topics relating to the state and status of the Irish language in society, North and South. From July to September 2024, Foras na Gaeilge invited the public to express its views on this draft of the Strategic Direction. Individuals and/or organisations had the option of completing a short survey or submitting a longer submission. 22 submissions and 73 responses to the survey were received. Public meetings, both on-site and online, were subsequently held in October and November 2024 to provide further opportunities for the public to participate in the discussion. 103 people took part in these meetings. A wide range of views was gathered from the audience at the meetings and this feedback was considered. The Board of Foras na Gaeilge gave its approval to the final version of the Strategic Direction in December 2024.

3.      Equality of opportunity

Under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, Foras na Gaeilge has a duty to promote equality of opportunity and good relations. Given the nature and scope of the Strategic Direction, we decided to carry out an Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) on the consultation draft, to consider its implications for equality and good relations. During the consultation, we particularly welcomed feedback on these themes, met with representative groups and invited them to attend the public meetings. No group or individual made a specific submission to us on the EQIA itself but suggestions were made on this subject in some of the general submissions received. Foras na Gaeilge is continuously developing an equality programme, and this subject is referred to regularly in the Strategic Direction.

A copy of the EQIA is available here.

A large print version is available here.