Public Sector Support

Facilitating the use of Irish in the public sector

Foras na Gaeilge provides and develops advice, support and training schemes for the public sector, in the context of the Official Languages Act 2003 in the south and the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages in the north. During 2013 Foras na Gaeilge announced the Irish Languages Officers Scheme for Northern Ireland to promote the Irish language in the public sector. In 2015 a conference was held for all the councils in Northern Ireland in conjunction with Conradh na Gaeilge and there was wide discussion of the particular duties of councils under the respective legislation. To that end Foras na Gaeilge has put together a guidance document which presents the legislation and examples of good practice.
Foras na Gaeilge oversees the Seal of Accreditation for Translators and Editors. This is a professional qualification for Irish language translators and editors which guarantees the standard of work of translators and editors.

A list of the accredited translators is available here: The Panel

A list of the accredited Editors is available here: Accredited Editors

Foras na Gaeilge aims to ensure always that learners enjoy and benefit from the classes they attend under the Scheme for providers of Specialist Irish Language Training Courses for the Public Sector gaelchultur BEAG 2015-2018. Under this scheme funding was provided to Gaelchultúr Teo do provide specialist Irish language courses in public sector bodies to help them fulfill their obligations in respect of the Official Languages Act 2003. Most of the courses provided are aimed at those staff members who are in regular contact with the public and the training aims to enable participants to provide a service for customers through Irish. Courses are also designed for employees who need to reach a high standard of Irish so that they can carry out their work in that language.