merrion street

• Special recognition for GAA clubs promoting the Irish language

• Support for families raising children through Irish

The Government Chief Whip and the Minister of State for the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Islands announced today that he has approved a grant of €683,677 for Glór na nGael for the period 2019-2022 to develop the Joe McDonagh Foundation and the Family Language Scheme. 

The Joe McDonagh Foundation is a Glór na nGael and Gaelic Athletic Association support scheme for GAA clubs who promote the Irish language.  The foundation provides grants for registered clubs who successfully manage to implement a certain amount of the actions.  Clubs may be awarded the Joe McDonagh medal for achieving a certain amount of the 70 actions which are set out in regards to the language.  This is given in recognition of the good work being carried out by the clubs.

Under the Family Language Scheme, which is under the care of Glór na nGael and Gaeloideachas Teo, the aim is to develop networks of Irish-speaking families in all-Irish and Gaeltacht schools.   Families whose children are in senior infants and who wish to raise their children through Irish are given support and encouragement under the scheme.  All-Irish events will be made available for these families.

Announcing the grant, the Minister of State stated:

I am proud that my Department is able to provide this funding to support these two worthwhile schemes. The GAA is carrying out pioneering work on behalf of the language and I hope that more clubs will aim to achieve recognition under the Joe McDonagh Foundation in the years ahead.

The lack of opportunities to use the Irish language outside of the education system is one the biggest problems faced by families who want to use the language and who want to raise their children through Irish.  I hope that the Family Language Scheme is of support to those families and that it provides them with the opportunity to enrich the Irish language amongst the younger generation.