ÚDARÁS NA Gaeltachta should retain the primary function of developing the economy and infrastructure of the Irish-speaking districts, according to an Oireachtas committee. In its report on the Government's draft Twenty-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030, the Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Sport, Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs said the Údarás had a critical role to play in nurturing the Gaeltacht and said any proposed restructuring of the organisation should not involve a reduction in the services it provides.
The Government's Capital Review Programme for the next six years, published last Monday, indicated there would be a phased reduction in the investment funds allocated to the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairsfrom €105 million this year to €30 million in 2016.
Pádraig Ó hAoláin, chief executive of the Gaeltacht authority, which operates under the aegis of the department, told Raidió na Gaeltachta yesterday morning: "There is no doubt at all that this is looking very grim and very serious."
He said that, if these figures were implemented, "Údarás na Gaeltachta would not be able to function in terms of its own capital programme, because it would not have a capital programme, and in addition the department itself would hardly be able to function because this amounts to putting the recommendations of An Bord Snip Nua into practice."
Yesterday committee chairman Fianna Fáil TD Tom Kitt said: "The ongoing viability of the Irish language can only be sustained by the continuing existence of sustainable Gaeltacht communities where Irish remains the primary language of the community, the dominant language of the household and the first language of the child in her or his formative years.
"These communities can only be sustained where they exist within viable local economies providing jobs to the community.
"This is so important that the committee wishes to particularly emphasise the proposal in our report that calls for retaining the economic development of the Gaeltacht as the primary role of Údarás na Gaeltachta," said Mr Kitt, speaking in Irish.
Greater communication and co-operation between the Department of Education and Skills, the voluntary organisations and the Gaeltacht community should be fostered, according to the report.
Other key recommendations include: restructuring An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltacht agus Gaelscolaíochta as a statutory body with defined powers; recognising the "crisis" in maintaining the future viability of the Gaeltacht in the strategy; confirming a policy of bilingualism will not apply to the Gaeltacht or be implemented therein by default; giving formal recognition to the existence of "pocket Gaeltachts" throughout Ireland; and locating a city and regional social centre in Dublin city, which would provide arts, cafeteria and other relevant facilities to "facilitate the functioning of a social network for the youth of Dublin and the surrounding counties".