A new Irish language plan for Dungarvan has been officially launched.
Minister of State for the Gaeltacht, Jack Chambers, announced the Dungarvan Gaeltacht Service Town Language Plan at an event last night.
The plan was compiled by Dún Garbhán Le Gaeilge and, as part of it, a Language Planning Officer will be employed to implement the plan.
The aim is to encourage the community to use the Irish language as they take part in events there.
Dungarvan's is the seventh language plan outside of a designated Gaeltacht area.
It has also been announced that funding of €3,663,280 will be provided for the language planning process for Foras na Gaeilge and Údarás na Gaeltachta this year.
Funding of €3,169,380 has been approved for Údarás na Gaeltachta and €494,000 for Foras na Gaeilge to enable them to advance the language planning process this year.
Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin said:
“There is a lot of work underway around the country as communities promote the Irish language at a local level. Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge have a significant responsibility in relation to the area of Language Planning work, and both organisations are co-operating accordingly with my Department. I commend all the communities involved in this work. They bring vitality and spirit to the Language Planning effort.”
As he approved the Dungarvan Language Plan, Minister of State Chambers said:
“I would like to congratulate Dún Garbhán le Gaeilge - the Lead Organisation of the Gaeltacht Service Town - and all those involved in putting together the language plan for the town. As with all the plans already in place, the Dungarvan language plan will provide opportunities for the town community to be central to the extra effort required to ensure the safe and secure transmission of the Irish language to generations to come. The significant funding we have announced today will support the implementation of the language planning process in Dungarvan, the Déise Gaeltacht and throughout the country, in order to strengthen the position of the Irish language.”
In addition, Minister of State Chambers visited Coláiste na Rinne, a summer college that has been in existence for over 100 years.
The Minister met with representatives from the college, Comhlucht Forbartha na nDéise which is the lead organisation for the Language Plan and the Language Planning Officer who works in the Language Planning Area.
The Déise Language Plan has now been in operation for a number of years and the lead organisation, the Language Planning Officer and all local people are doing vital work to protect and develop the Irish language and culture.
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