A NEW funding mechanism being introduced by Foras na Gaeilge has been strongly criticised by the 19 Irish language promotion organisations that receive their core funding from the body.
Foras na Gaeilge, a North/South implementation body set up under the Belfast Agreement, has a role in advising the administrations North and South in matters relating to the Irish language.
It also channels State funding to Irish language organisations throughout the island of Ireland.
Following concerns in recent years over increased administration costs, Foras has been trying to replace the existing grant-in-aid system with one of competitive tendering for funding.
Under the new system all the core funding would cease and the organisations, all of which are not-for-profit, would have to compete on a three-yearly basis for funds to implement schemes planned by Foras.
The affected organisations say this would result in a commercialisation of a sector that is community-based, and that they would not be able to survive without State funding.
Conradh na Gaeilge general secretary Julian de Spáinn said the new approach would ensure that instead of working together, Irish language organisations would now be set in competition against each other.
Mr de Spáinn believes it could result in the destruction of the Irish language movement.
Under the new funding method, all language strategy would be decided by Foras and the role of the organisations would be to achieve objectives and targets set by Foras.
Mr de Spáinn said the organisations were “more than happy” to sit down with Foras and Government departments to see how they could work together to achieve greater effectiveness.
He warned that the work and services offered by grassroots Irish language organisations would come under threat if the new funding system were introduced.
The 19 organisations that are affected by the change, including Conradh na Gaeilge, said in a statement this week that the introduction of the new funding model would have a “detrimental and irreversible effect” on the Irish language. “Under the new proposals, Foras na Gaeilge would see organisations dismiss all staff whose positions are funded by Foras na Gaeilge,” the statement said.
“Overnight, years of experience and expertise would be lost. A contract worker could never gain as much experience and expertise. On top of this, the Irish language would no longer be seen as a viable career choice,” it warned.
The organisations are seeking to engage with Foras na Gaeilge to come up with a new work model “on an agreed and planned basis”.
SDLP spokesman for the Irish language Dominic Bradley called yesterday on both sides to negotiate.
He said he had spoken to both sides and that the dispute was an issue “of concern for the cause of Irish on the island of Ireland”.
There was room for compromise, Mr Bradley said, as considerable savings could be achieved by the organisations and that these options should be explored further.
A spokesman for Foras na Gaeilge said the body was happy to sit down with the organisations at any time. Breandán Mac Craith said the existing system was not sustainable and that Foras had no choice but to change the funding mechanism following a direction by the North-South Ministerial Council “and that is why we are taking this route”.
IRISH LANGUAGE FUNDING: WHAT KEY BODIES GET
* Forbairt Naíonraí Teoranta
All-Ireland voluntary organisation supporting the promotion of pre- school education and care services in Irish for children from birth.
Foras grant 2011: €1,015,217.
* Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge
The central steering council for the Irish language community, it is the primary language lobby dealing with State legislation. The body was the driving force behind the Official Languages Act 2003. It monitors any proposed changes to government policy in the area of language.
Foras grant 2011: €650,409
* Gaelscoileanna Teo
Umbrella group for Irish language schools. It provides support for the development of all-Irish schools at both primary and secondary level. It provides practical support to people who wish to set up schools, and operates according to public demand.
Foras grant 2011: €461,184
* Conradh na Gaeilge
Founded in 1893 by Ireland’s first president Douglas Hyde, Conradh na Gaeilge is the main voluntary community organisation that promotes the Irish language in Ireland and abroad.
Foras grant 2011: €541,911
