SEAS is an all-day event for TDs and Senators to meet and hear from constituents and community groups on Irish language and Gaeltacht issues
TDs and Senators from government and the opposition were present today, Wednesday 03 July, to hear from the public on pressing issues facing the Irish language and Gaeltacht communities. SEAS (Seisiún Eolais agus Spreagtha) is an advocacy day organised by Conradh na Gaeilge in partnership with the Meitheal Náisiúnta Pleanála Teanga (MNPT) to address key issues to politicians and to give constituents and community groups an opportunity to platform their local and national needs, concerns and aspirations for the Irish language.
Conradh na Gaeilge were also before the Committee on the Irish Language, Gaeltacht and the Irish-speaking Community at 13:30 today to present the case for An Plean Fáis: Irish Language and Gaeltacht Investment Plan, 2024-2029.
#SEAS24 is focused on the most pressing issues regarding the Irish language and Gaeltacht, including calls for:
- Proposals for Budget 2025: €57m additional funding for the Irish language and Gaeltacht
- An additional €16.5m for Údarás na Gaeltachta and Roinn na Gaeltachta for investment and supports in the Gaeltacht
- An additional €14.5m for Foras na Gaeilge and Roinn na Gaeltachta for investment and supports outside of the Gaeltacht
- An additional €26m for TG4 to develop Irish language programs & to move TG4 towards the same funding as S4C in Wales
- Education: Recommendation for the formulation of a #Gaeilge4All policy from early childhood education to third level
- In compliance with the Government’s commitment in the Programme for Government to deliver a ‘Policy for Irish in the education system from early childhood education to third level’ without further delay, and to this end, that the Minister for Education immediately set up an expert group to develop this policy
- That this new policy is based on the Common European Framework of Reference
- That this Government delivers on its own programme for Government to double the number of pupils attending Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí (starting with the 9 areas seeking independent Gaelcholáistes)
- Recommendations for the planning of housing in the Gaeltacht
- That Údarás na Gaeltachta be given clear housing functions as part of the Údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2024.
- That the Draft Planning Guidelines for the Gaeltacht, which have been committed to since 2021, be published immediately
- That the Planning and Development Bill 2023 will be strengthened as it relates to the Gaeltacht
Speaking on SEAS24, Paula Melvin, President of Conradh na Gaeilge said:
“#SEAS24 is a great opportunity to bring the pressing needs of the Irish language and Gaeltacht community to the attention of our politicians and elected representatives. We have succeeded in making the case with the Government and opposition parties that Budget 2025 urgently needs to increase funding properly. We put particular emphasis on the importance of developing a policy for the Irish language in the education system from early childhood education to third level, as outlined by the Gaeilge4All campaign, and made it clear that there will not be as good an opportunity as the present to give Údarás na Gaeltachta clear housing functions as part of the Údarás na Gaeltachta Bill which is currently before the Dáil.”
Róisín Ní Chinnéide, Advocacy Manager for Conradh na Gaeilge, commented:
“It is vital that we ensure the viability of the Gaeltacht and the Gaeltacht community for the coming years. Through the recommendations being put forward by Conradh na Gaeilge, MNPT and the Irish-language community today, we can begin work towards that future. We have called for the Draft Planning Guidelines for the Gaeltacht, which have been committed since 2021, to be published immediately, and for the Planning and Development Bill 2023 to be strengthened from a Gaeltacht perspective.
We are all aware that there is an urgent need for more investment in the Gaeltacht to provide homes, to create employment and to develop language planning. We also need to protect the rights of people in the Gaeltacht in legislation. We are calling on politicians to implement our recommendations and take action with vision, energy and good will.”
For further information & to download a copy of An Plean Fáis: cnag.ie/plan.
