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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Funding for Irish language services

Summary

Deputy Heneghan criticises inadequate funding for Irish-language and Gaeltacht services ahead of a protest, including support for TG4. Minister Calleary says record State funding is being provided and that further budgetary work is under way.

I wish to join in condemning any violence that the Tánaiste has faced. No one from any side of this House should experience that. I stand with anyone experiencing that. He has my complete solidarity.

Is mian liom labhairt faoi rud atá i mbéal an phobail faoi láthair, is é sin, an méid airgid atá ag dul don Ghaeilge. It is a shame that more than 100 years after the foundation of this State Irish speakers and members of the Gaeltacht will be protesting outside these Houses this Saturday for basic rights for our native language. During the formation of Government, the regional Independents showed our priority for more funding for the Irish language. Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil an tAire ar an eolas faoi seo. Bhuail mé leis ag an gcruinniú sin. The founding mothers and fathers of this State would be turning in their graves if they knew only 0.01% of the budget was going to the Department with responsibility for the Gaeltacht. We need to put more money into that. It is something we need to get down. There will be more jobs and opportunities for people. I was a presenter for TG4 before I was a politician. Let us put more money into TG4. Let us put more money into the Irish language. Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí. It is important we nurture our native language because that is it. Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam.

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Dara Calleary Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Fianna Fáil

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Heneghan. Is mór an chaill é do TG4 go bhfuil sé anseo sa Dáil. Tá muid ag iarraidh go mbeidh airgead breise ann, ach caithfear a rá freisin go bhfuil an méid airgid is mó riamh i stair an Stáit á chaitheamh ar chúrsaí Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta. Tá muid ag iarraidh seasamh le daoine a bhfuil suim acu sa Ghaeltacht agus leo siúd a labhraíonn an Ghaeilge nó a bhfuil cónaí orthu sa Ghaeltacht le go mbeidh cúrsaí níos fearr. Níl an t-airgead atá á chaitheamh ar TG4 san áireamh sna figiúirí sin. Tá muid ag obair i gcomhthéacs an chéad cáinaisnéise eile.

We are working to increase the budget for the Gaeltacht and Gaeilge activities. I have the support of the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and our colleagues in government. We have serious ambitions in this Department over the course of the programme for Government. Beidh muid ag obair i gcomhthéacs an chéad cáinaisnéise eile agus clár an Rialtais, an Rialtas a bheidh againn le haghaidh an chéad ceithre bliana eile.

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