The Irish Language’s National Plan for the Public System 2024-2030 was unveiled at the Government Buildings plaza in Dublin last Wednesday by Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs, Thomas Byrne. The plan is historic and is expected to be a key facet in upholding bilingual public service as we near 2030.
So, what is the substance of this plan? It is essentially a strategy designed by an Irish Language Services Advisory Committee and its implementation will span over six years via two consecutive three-year action plans. These plans will outline the methods to achieve the set objectives.
The responsibilities of the Minister for the Gaeltacht are underpinned by the language legislation. As per the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021, the Minister had six months to appoint the Advisory Committee after the Act was enforced. This Committee was set up in June 2022 and was given the responsibility of formulating and releasing the national plan within two years. This plan, unprecedented in the history of the State, aims to realise the Official Languages Act’s objectives.
Minister Byrne envisions this plan to be a benchmark for public bodies, helping them enhance the quality and quantity of their public services in Irish systematically.
In essence, the principal objective as stated in the Official Languages Act is to ensure that by 2030, a minimum of 20 per cent of new state sector employees are competent in the Irish language. It also includes the provision of public services in Irish in the Gaeltacht and the operation of all public offices in the Gaeltacht through Irish. Moreover, each state sector will be obliged to set language standards to uplift the quality and standards of public services provided.
The need for Irish language proficiency in state offices is a pressing concern, commented Minister Byrne. He stated that there is currently limited positivity towards accessibility to the Irish language in these offices. However, the plan and subsequently derived actions, once executed, are geared towards increasing confidence in the ability to utilize the Irish language in state offices.
The pursuit of these objectives nonetheless creates substantial and multifaceted hurdles and challenges. A research study carried out as part of the Plan saw participation from over 35,000 public body employees. The objective was to understand the existing level of proficiency in the public sector. The corporations that participated in the skill survey employ a workforce of 212,000 individuals, yet only a fraction, 16.6%, responded. On a positive note, over 23% expressed readiness to work in Irish if adequate training and support were made accessible.
Yet, substantial work remains, as evident in the 74% of 81 public bodies surveyed revealing a lack of catalogue in their HR departments regarding employees’ proficiency in the Irish language. Minister Byrne recognized and emphasised these challenges, stating extensive work is required across different state systems such as Health, An Garda Síochána, and the Department of Social Protection.
The Health Service Executive is a key entity identified in the Plan, currently employing over 160,000 people. Notably, 14.2% of the staff are non-Irish, a percentage that significantly amplifies to 36.4% when considering doctors and 22.5% for nurses. Many of these employees operate in care services across Gaeltacht communities or associated hospitals, thus posing a unique complication in ensuring services are rendered in Irish in these localities.
The Act’s objectives have sparked conversations concerning the target of having 20% of new civil service hires being fluent in Irish. There has been an ongoing debate on whether this percentage should only comprise new recruits or extend to include existing civil staff as well.
The plan outlines that both external and internal recruits within public bodies will be accounted for in the 20% target, even though the term ‘new’ isn’t mentioned within the legislation. Plus, the Advisory Committee made this decision.
What’s next in line? Minister Byrne disclosed that the first action plan’s execution has begun and he anticipates the plan will be released shortly. He emphasised the urgency of the work, due to what he perceives to be a crisis within the Gaeltacht. The hope is that the plan will help alleviate this crisis and enable individuals to go about their lives in Irish, if they so choose.
This is essentially about realising the constitution’s implementation. There has been progress within the EU, but for the state, the same cannot be said. The strategic scheme pledges a radical and innovative modification to civil service language, although it’s not to say the plan is flawless. Notwithstanding, it’s noteworthy progress.
In a previous discussion regarding the Language Act, over 300 suggestions aiming to bolster the legislation were put forth from both the government and opposition. Although not all were approved and others were diluted during the process, there was measurable advancement. When the act became law as of December 2021, explicit deadlines had been incorporated for the actions that needed to ensue.
The minister was required to put forward the Advisory Committee’s members within 6 months of the legislation’s passing. The committee was obligated to draft the national plan and present it to the minister within two years. Following that, the minister had an additional three months to submit the plan to the government, which took place last week.
In another quarter, the date by which Irish will become an operational language in State Gaeltacht offices needs to be set by the minister. These time targets are indicative of the legislation’s worth.
However, the legislation also prescribes other time targets. For instance, public bodies are permitted to request a dispensation, in written form, from the minister within three months of setting language standards.
In both mainstream discussions and Irish language-focused media, the government’s handling of the language is frequently debated. Until 1974, working knowledge of Irish was required of all civil service recruits—a testament to the state’s initial support for the language. Yet, a significant shift in the language strategy of the government occurred, illustrating the erosion of the state’s commitment to promoting Irish. This change, decided upon under the premise that it would spur a reevaluation of the Irish language amongst civil servants, has only resulted in the opposite.
Several significant developments have occurred since. Irish has now acquired full official status within the European Union, and the promulgation of the Official Languages Act (2003 and 2021) has imposed supplementary responsibilities on the government.
While this strategy and the resultant legislation should certainly be appreciated and supported, one cannot suppose they will miraculously solve existing issues. The State Minister undoubtedly comprehends the gravity of the situation, but without the unwavering backing of various government departments—specifically the Department of Education—there is an imminent risk of further deterioration of the Gaeltacht and the Irish language. Weather or not, this inevitable erosion will continue unhindered.