An international renaissance in Irish culture has seen a surging demand for Irish language teachers in US universities and colleges, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Éamon Ó Cuív said today.
Mr Ó Cuív said the teaching of the language and Celtic Studies at around 50 third level institutions overseas could help secure its future in a globalised world.
Speaking at City University in the Bronx, New York, he said he was setting aside €660,000 for grants for Irish language teachers in the US because of the demand.
The public money will be channelled through the Fulbright Commission, which operates exchange programmes between Ireland and the US, for its Irish Language Awards.
"I personally believe that if, in 20 years time, we have 250,000 daily speakers of Irish the tide will have definitively turned," said Mr O Cuiv.
"I can see of no reason other than lack of courage and leadership now why Irish will not remain alive as a spoken, community language in the new globalised world we have created."
The grants will be open to teaching assistants and scholars to teach at a number of US colleges and universities that offer Irish language classes. There will also be an award from next year to a US post-graduate student to spend a summer in the Gaeltacht and remain on for a year in Ireland to study through Irish.
"The Celtic Tiger years saw Ireland increase its economic influence in the world," said Mr Ó Cuív. "In addition, we have seen an international renaissance where Irish culture is concerned.
"Part of this results from the development of links between Ireland and the approximately 50 universities and third level institutions worldwide that teach the Irish language and Celtic Studies, and the provision of funding for this work."
Mr Ó Cuív also said the Government is working on a 20-year Strategy for Irish which will be prepared before the end of the year.