Seán Ó Coinn, the CEO of Foras na Gaeilge, has expressed his concerns regarding a significant change in perspective required at top government level and state leadership concerning the significance and potential of the Irish language. This statement was part of his speech on a report for a public consultation process conducted by his organisation to establish primary goals for 2025-2030.
He states that although all government members display empathy towards the Irish language and acknowledge its value, they fail to understand its status as a living language that people incorporate into their daily lives. This insufficient understanding is subsequently mirrored in how the Irish language sector has been inadequately funded.
While Ó Coinn acknowledges the constitutional status of the Irish language and the substantial legislations that have been implemented, he finds that the sector’s state funding is entirely disproportionate. He explicates that despite the collaborative hard work with Conradh na Gaeilge, the spending on the Irish language has remained static for possibly the past 50 years.
Ó Coinn pinpoints this issue to a deficiency in understanding and lack of focus at higher government echelons on the Irish language’s potential in the present time. Many in these roles are simply uninformed of the progress made concerning the language, according to him.
However, he also pointed out positive moves such as the Gaeltacht Act, the Official Languages Act, and the Policy on Gaeltacht Education. There’s a new policy for Irish-medium education and an encompassing childcare plan in the pipeline, alongside a Digital Plan for Irish and the Language-Based Arts Strategy.
While considerable advancements have been made, the highest echelons of the Government remain uninformed about the potential benefits of restoring the Irish language. A shift in mindset is required; according to Ó Coinn.
Within the context of any institution, conscious future planning is obligatory. This is the primary focus of the Strategic Direction 2025-2030. The foundation of this project is embedded in the Body’s upcoming corporate plan and seasonal business plans leading up to 2030.
An initial version of this scheme, which highlights Language Skill, Language Usage, Attitudes towards Language, and Institutional Administration, as the main aims of the novel strategy, has been unveiled. “The Strategic Direction mirrors our priorities and emphases,” Ó Coinn commented.
The inaugural Strategic Direction was released in 2020 and will conclude next year. While a portion of the goals have been achieved remarkably well, particularly at the communal level, including lexicographical and terminological courses, Ó Coinn admitted that other objectives didn’t fare as well.
Inconsistencies in the system, particularly in education – like hindrances on the amplification of teaching in Irish, specified Irish language sections, and the contestable exemption method from studying Irish – are routinely challenged, reflecting a lack of understanding towards bilingualism and the requirements of the Irish language community.
Effacing these issues aligns with what Ó Coinn wishes to observe improving. “The exemption system, unique to our knowledge, in a state with majority and minority languages, causes significant detriment to the standing of Irish as a fundamental subject in our education system,” he commented.
The sector that experienced stress, “which wasn’t very fast”, but is now underway, is the spectrum of children and early education, according to Ó Coinn. The Department of Children is presently conducting public consultations concerning a nationwide scheme for including Irish language in early learning and upbringing.
Ó Coinn and O’Connor are particularly advocating for the creation of a detailed strategy for early education and childcare services, with a key emphasis on the inclusion of the Irish language, in both regions of the Gaeltacht and beyond. This initiative represents substantial advancement, they expressed.
As of now, early childhood education largely leans on the private sector, which unfortunately, tends to disregard the importance of incorporating the Irish language in the curriculum. Ó Coinn insists on a significant alteration in this regard.
The duo is putting forth their strong views to the Department of Children, stressing the urgent need for a structured program that allows community groups to step in and fulfil the gap in childcare provisions. They also suggest financial aid and support should be readily available to facilitate this.
However, significant inconsistencies exist in the allocation of resources in Foras na Gaeilge, hindering the organization from successfully achieving their long-term strategic goals. They hope that an enhanced, self-sustaining and efficient setup will be established in due course, following a revision on the core funding for An Foras.
O’Connor spoke about the complicated nature of the North-South structure, pointing out the 75:25 resource division, where the larger stake is provided by the Irish government, with a 25 percent contribution by the British government. If both governments fail to equally increase funds, the other party might have to reduce their share.
The authorities from both states are currently in discussions, working towards reaching a consensus that ensures that no state will face hindrance in the development of Irish-central initiatives, more so the Irish language.
Ó Coinn expressed his optimism that, by year-end, progress would be noticeable, favouring an increase in funding by the southern government.
They addressed the disparity in the state funding for Irish language as compared to other sectors. Expressing concern over the observation where the government, recognising the national and international significance of art, amplified their support to this sector, which greatly transformed it in the last decade, with the funding for the Arts Council alone rising perhaps by fourfold.
Ó Coinn and O’Connor believe if a similar approach was applied to the Irish language, it could dramatically boost the number of people using the language regularly.
They invite everyone to participate in the discussions related to this matter. More details can be found at forasnagaeilge.ie/ts/