IPPN

Published: 18 January 2011

Pádraig Mac Criostail, Director of Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, said the strategy demonstrated the Government’s commitment and long term vision for the Irish language. He urged that an action plan be prepared now on how to implement the strategy in order to achieve its goals.

“Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge is prepared for and looking forward to assuming an active role, in conjunction with the Irish language voluntary sector, in implementing the Government’s 20 Year Strategy,” Mr Mac Criostail added.

Conradh na Gaeilge also welcomed the Strategy 2010-2030 and highly commended the Government for “agreeing on such a comprehensive, farsighted plan for the language with cross-party support”.

President of Conradh na Gaeilge Pádraig Mac Fhearghusa said his organisation was very happy to see additional responsibilities conferred on An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG), the body responsible for the development of education in Gaeltacht schools, in Irish-medium schools, and of the teaching of Irish in all schools.

“COGG will have a primary role in the implementation of the Strategy in the education sector, and this highlights the importance of the teaching and learning of Irish throughout Ireland, in English-medium, Irish-medium and Gaeltacht schools alike," Mr Mac Fhearghusa said.

“In addition to the stated specific objective of increasing the number of speakers who speak Irish on a daily basis outside the educational system from 83,000 to 250,000 by 2030, Conradh na Gaeilge believes it is of great importance that a specific target has been set in the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language to increase the number of speakers who speak Irish on a daily basis in the Gaeltacht by 25%, and that the Gaeltacht has been recognised as a critical element in the re-invigoration of language and in the overall success of the Strategy [4, 9].

Full Story: www.educationmatters.ie