The Government has provided €25,000 towards a national survey to gauge the views of young people on Irish language radio, it emerged today.
The grant will be given by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI).
The BCI and Irish language body Foras na Gaeilge will both contribute €12,500 each to cover the €50,000 cost of the study.
The Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Mr Éamon Ó Cuív, said he hopes the survey will help make Irish-language radio services become more relevant to the 15-35 age group.
He said: "We have a long way to go to provide the services and facilities to keep young people interested in the Irish language."
Mr Éamonn Ó hArgáin, of Foras na Gaeilge, said: "We hope to find what young people are listening to - and if they are not listening to Irish language radio we hope to find out why."
The telephone survey will be carried out among 1,200 people, including 200 respondents in Gaeltacht areas.
The BCI aims to publish the results of the survey in January 2005.
PA