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Ministers welcome launch of Foras na Gaeilge public consultation process

Ministers in the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (DAHG) and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) in the North have welcomed the launch today by Foras na Gaeilge of a public consultation process on its review of its core funded bodies.
~ Monday, 9 January 2012

Foras na Gaeilge today launched a twelve week public consultation process of the new competitive funding model which is envisaged to replace the existing core funding model.

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan T.D., Minister of State with special responsibility for Gaeltacht Affairs, Dinny McGinley T.D. and Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure in the North, Carál Ní Chuilín MLA welcomed the launch which was agreed at a meeting of the North South Ministerial Council in October 2011.

The public consultation process will focus on Foras na Gaeilge's portfolio of draft schemes, having regard in particular to the nineteen core funded bodies in both jurisdictions.

The Ministers urged everyone with an interest in the Irish language to consider how they can make a positive contribution to the consultation process: They said: "Through the consultation process, we can ensure that government policy-making adequately takes account of the needs and views of the public and, most importantly, those that the funding will affect. It is intended that the new funding model will ensure an effective mechanism for the welfare and growth of the Irish language in the future.”

Notes to editors:

  1. Foras na Gaeilge currently provides funding to 19 core funded bodies throughout Ireland, North and South.
  2. The review of its core funded bodies is being undertaken by Foras na Gaeilge as a result of a decision taken by the North South Ministerial Council.
  3. The consultation process by Foras na Gaeilge will continue until 2 April 2012. Full details of the consultation process are available bilingually on Foras na Gaeilge's website http://www.forasnagaeilge.ie/Foras_na_Gaeilge/New_Funding_Model.asp.
  4. Media enquiries should be addressed to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure Communications Office Tel 028 90 515047 or email: communications@dcalni.gov.uk. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699715440 and your call will be returned.