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Minister of State with Special Responsibility for the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Islands and Government Chief Whip, Seán Kyne has today announced that a Language Plan for the Area of North Donegal has been approved under the language planning process. He also announced that an annual allowance of up to €100,00 will be made available in accordance with the process to support the implementation of the plan, which will include the employment of a Language Planning Officer to help with the implementation of the plan in the area.

The Minister of State said:

The North Donegal Language Plan equates to the 16th plan to be approved under the process. As I previously reported at the Government meeting in Gleann Cholm Cille last week, significant progress has been made under the process since its commencement five years ago. With the appointment of language planning officers and the implementation of plans currently in progress the biggest thing that the different Gaeltacht communities and the public in general are seeing is that we are being afforded the opportunity to be more instrumental than ever before in shaping the future of the Irish language and the Gaeltacht. Another big thing the public is recognising is the support of the State for the language planning process during this time. It goes without saying that myself and officers within the Department and Údarás na Gaeltachta look forward to working with the lead organisation and in supporting the implementation of the language plan for North Donegal in the future.

Note for the editor

15 Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas have been approved under the language planning process to date:

• Cois Fharraige;
• Gaoth Dobhair, Rann na Feirste, Anagaire & Loch an Iúir;
• Cloch Chionnaola, Gort an Choirce, An Fál Carrach & Machaire Rabhartaigh;
• Na Déise;
• Múscraí;
• South Kerry;
• Dúiche Sheoigheach & Tuar Mhic Éadaigh;
• West Kerry;
• North Mayo;
• Árainn Mhór, Co Donegal;
• An Cheathrú Rua;
• Conamara Láir;
• Ráth Chairn & Baile Ghib;
• South Donegal;
• Ceantar na nOileán

9 Language Planning Officers and 3 Assistant Language Planning Officers have been employed to date and the implementation of the relevant plans have commenced accordingly.

The process pertaining to the drawing up of plans is in progress for the following towns: Letterkenny, Daingean Uí Chúis, Cahersiveen, An Clochán Liath, Tralee, Dungarvan, Castlebar and Galway City and Cork City.

Foras na Gaeilge has recently presented plans relating to the 3 Irish Language Networks presently identified  under the process in relation to the Irish Language Networks to the Department and these are currently being considered.