merrion street

Government Chief Whip and Minister of State for the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Islands, Joe McHugh T.D., has announced (3 November) that his Department is implementing a specific measure in Gaeltacht areas in order to raise awareness among young families in the Gaeltacht of the advantages of raising children with Irish.

As part of the campaign, materials such as posters and pamphlets will be circulated to health centres and doctors’ surgeries across the Gaeltacht in order to highlight the matter as well as the language support package provided by the Department to young Gaeltacht families raising children with Irish or those who wish to do so. Information on the current campaign will also be disseminated among preschool services in Gaeltacht areas.

“This is an excellent opportunity to highlight the advantages of having Irish, and to tell people that support is available to them from my Department if they choose to raise their children with Irish,” said Minister of State McHugh as he announced the information campaign. “From feedback we received from the community it is clear that such a measure is needed. Young Gaeltacht parents have direct and regular contact with doctors’ clinics and health centres in the Gaeltacht and this is a wonderful opportunity to make them aware of the options they have regarding their household language.”

　
Note to Editor
The aim of this measure is to reinforce the Irish language as the household and community language in the Gaeltacht, consistent with the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language.

Under the initiative, a package of books, DVDs and other relevant material is provided, free of charge, to families who contact the Department. Since its introduction in 2012 5798 packages have been supplied to young families.

Further info:
https://www.chg.gov.ie/gaeltacht/the-gaeltacht/language-support-schemes-programmes/family-language-support-programme/