merrion street

The Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dinny McGinley T.D., today (18 September 2013) announced that he has signed the Regulations prescribing the language planning criteria under section 12 of the Gaeltacht Act 2012. These criteria will be essential when evaluating language plans prepared for Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas, Gaeltacht Service Towns and Irish Language Networks.

The Minister of State said: “The publication of these criteria signifies another step forward in the language planning process. As a result of these Regulations, there is clarity regarding the criteria which will be used by my Department in the assessment of language plans prior to their approval. Based on this process, various areas may be designated as Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas, as Gaeltacht Service Towns or as Irish Language Networks, as appropriate, in accordance with the Gaeltacht Act."

The following steps are currently being undertaken by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, in conjunction with Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge, to progress the language planning process:

The Department is preparing guidelines, in conjunction with Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge, which will set out a transparent process for the preparation, implementation and assessment of language plans in the areas, towns and networks. These guidelines will assist the community organisations undertaking the language planning process on the ground.

· Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge are preparing a transparent system by which organisations will be chosen to prepare and implement language plans in the various areas.

· The Department is preparing notices, in conjunction with Údarás na Gaeltachta, under section 7(3) of the Act which will define the various electoral divisions included in the 26 Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas.