Grant sanctioned by Minister of State Kyne for the TechSpace as Gaeilge project
Minister of State, Seán Kyne T.D., today announced that he has sanctioned an additional grant of €122,803 for Camara Ireland to further develop the TechSpace as Gaeilge project. This project helps adolescents to actively create digital and technological content. Young people learn how to make digital films, design websites and develop mobile apps and robotics, amongst other things. Under the direction of trained instructors and mentors, the adolescents build on their computing abilities, while developing their self-confidence, social skills and social mobility, which will help them throughout their life.
In 2015, a new TechSpace as Gaeilge scheme was announced to assist schools and youth clubs in Connacht. Grants were sanctioned for 13 schools/youth centres in Connacht under this scheme in 2016 and the project is now due to be implemented in Munster.
Announcing the grant, Minister of State Kyne said:
“TechSpace as Gaeilge is a worthwhile project that gives teenagers an opportunity to develop their imagination and creativity while using Irish as their language of communication. This project will continue to be developed going forward and it is intended to gradually implement it nationwide. This high standard ICT programme will support our objective of developing young people’s 21st century skills through the medium of Irish throughout the country. This project sits closely with the aims of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030.”
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07/04/17
Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs, Seán Kyne T.D., announces that Irish Language Officers will be employed to help with the implementation of language plans under the language planning process in the Gaeltacht
Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs, Seán Kyne T.D., announced today, 7th April 2017, that there are plans to employ Irish Language Officers at local level in the Gaeltacht to assist with the implementation of language plans agreed under the language planning process. He announced that the language planning allocation of €850,000 which he announced yesterday would be used as funding.
As announced yesterday, €735,000 will be allocated to Údarás na Gaeltachta and €115,000 to Foras na Gaeilge to enable them to advance the language planning process as it relates to each of them.
In relation to Údarás na Gaeltachta: As the implementation of language plans may be commenced this year in up to 13 Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas, the funds provided to Údarás – which have been increased from €400,000 in 2016 – will be used to enable each area to employ an Irish Language Officer to deal with the implementation of its language plan – depending on the requirements of the case, after the plan has been agreed by the Minister of State in accordance with the Gaeltacht Act.
An allocation of up to €100,000 over a period of 12 months may be approved in respect of each individual language planning area in which the implementation of an agreed language plan will begin during the current year. This allocation will comprise the appointee’s salary as well as funding to commence the implementation of the respective plans. The Irish Language Officers’ salary will be based on an Executive Officer’s salary scale.
The funds being provided to Údarás na Gaeltachta will also be used to ensure that the process will commence before the end of the year in the following three Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas: Bearna and Knocknacarragh; Galway City East; and an tEachréidh.
Attending the announcement in Ionad Cultúrtha an Phiarsaigh, Conamara, of the details of a series of public meetings as a first step in the process as it relates to those areas, Minister of State Kyne said that the meetings would be arranged by Údarás, in conjunction with the Department, for the communities of each area. The public meetings will be arranged for the 24th April for Galway City East; 25th April for An tEachréidh and 27th April for Bearna and Knocknacarragh. (There are further details below on the location of the public meetings).
In addition, Údarás na Gaeltachta will use the allocation to advance the process as it relates to the preparation of language plans in the following Gaeltacht Service Towns: Daingean Uí Chúis, Béal an Mhuirthead and An Clochán Liath during the current year.
In relation to Foras na Gaeilge: the funding provided by the Department will be used to advance the language plan preparation process this year in Galway City, Cork City, Letterkenny, Tralee and Dungarvan. The funds will also be used to prepare plans for the following Irish-language Networks: Clondalkin; Ennis, Co. Clare and Loughrea, Co. Galway.
Minister of State Kyne said: “Since the language planning process, a central part of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language, began three years ago it has been focussed on the preparation of plans. Commencing the implementation of language plans in up to 13 individual Gaeltacht areas this year is a big step forward toward implementing the process and accordingly, implementing the strategy. This means that the Gaeltacht community will play a bigger part than ever before to tackle the challenges facing the Irish language at local level and they will have more support than ever under this process to achieve that goal.
As a result of the investment announced today, Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge will both be in a position to continue helping various Irish-language communities recognised under the Gaeltacht Act to prepare and implement their plans according to locally identified needs. The appointment of Irish Language Officers locally in Gaeltacht areas to support the implementation of agreed plans under the Act will not only help the application of the process for the benefit of the Irish language and the Gaeltacht, but also provide employment opportunities in the Irish-language and language planning sectors.”
The Minister of State said that in light of the census results in relation to the Irish language published yesterday, it is clear that Irish faces the same constant challenges as those faced by minority languages around the world. “We must further strengthen our efforts – as state bodies, Irish-language organisations and the wider community, to overcome these challenges. Success will best be achieved if each stakeholder engages enthusiastically with the chance to do their bit for the Irish language as part of the implementation of the strategy, to which the language planning process and Gaeltacht education policy are central.”
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17/02/17Minister of State Kyne sanctions funding for Comhar na nOileán Teo
Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs, Seán Kyne TD, announced today (17th February 2017) that he has sanctioned funding of €50,000 for the current year for Comhar na nOileán Teo, based on Inis Oírr. This assistance will help them to enable Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann to develop a new policy for the islands and to implement a comprehensive action plan.
Making the announcement, Minister of State Kyne said that he is pleased that his Department was in a position to help Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann and that this funding would give them a chance to develop as an organisation. “Today’s announcement is good news for the islands in general,” said the Minister of State.
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15/02/17
Appointment to the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta
The Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs, Seán Kyne T.D., has announced that Waterford County Council nominee, Máire Seosaimhín Breathnach, has been appointed to the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta for the period from 15 February 2017 until 14 February 2019.
The Minister of State said that he was pleased to announce the appointment and that he is confident that the new board member will undertake her duties with diligence.
“I am confident that the ability, experience and wide range of skills displayed by the newly-appointed member will greatly benefit both Údarás na Gaeltachta and the Gaeltacht community in the coming years,” said the Minister of State.
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13/02/17€3,991 sanctioned by Minister of State Kyne for Coiste Tuismitheoirí Mhuighinis
Seán Kyne T.D., Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs, has announced that he has sanctioned a grant of up to €3,991 for Coiste Tuismitheoirí Mhuighinis, c/o Forbairt Chonamara Láir to help them purchase equipment.
Announcing the grant, Minister of State Kyne said that he is very pleased to be in a position to provide this grant, which will be of great help to this committee as they provide activities for the community of Maínis, both young and old. This funding is being provided under the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030.
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08/02/17€29,600 sanctioned by Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs, Seán Kyne T.D., for Iontaobhas Choláiste Chonnacht
Seán Kyne T.D., Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs, today announced that he has sanctioned a grant of up to €29,600 for Iontaobhas Choláiste Chonnacht to fit a new electricity system in the Coláiste.
Announcing the grant, the Minister of State said that he was pleased to be in a position to provide this grant to Iontaobhas Choláiste Chonnacht to carry out this work. “It’s evident to me that this work needs to be carried out urgently from a security and safety perspective,” the Minister of State said. “I commend the wonderful work being done by this Coláiste with regard to the promotion of the Irish language.”
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03/02/17€14,180 sanctioned by Minister of State Kyne for Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne
The Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs, Seán Kyne T.D., announced today that he has sanctioned a grant of €14,180 for Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne to purchase sports equipment.
Announcing the grant, Minister of State Kyne said that he was very pleased to sanction the grant. ‘I’m happy that I can provide support for this active and pioneering school which has a strong Irish-language tradition and I wish them well in their endeavours.’
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23/01/17Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs and Natural Resources, Seán Kyne T.D. welcomes Investment and Development of Gaeltacht areas at the launch of Realising our Rural Potential – the Action Plan for Rural Development
Today (23/01/17), Seán Kyne T.D., Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs and Natural Resources at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs welcomed the publication of Realising our Rural Potential – the Action Plan for Rural Development which was launched by An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny T.D., in Ballymahon Library, Co. Longford.
“This Action Plan, produced by the Government, strongly supports economic and social development in all rural communities. Furthermore, the Plan highlights the importance of investment and development in Irish language based tourism and natural resources in Gaeltacht areas.”
As Minister with responsibility for both Gaeltacht Affairs and Natural Resources, Minister of State Kyne said:
“This Plan recognises the importance of the Irish language as a key resource in Gaeltacht and other rural communities. In particular, I support the investment in Irish language based tourism in the Gaeltacht with the provision of learning facilities for Irish language learners in summer camps and community centres, and through the administering of Gaeltacht scholarships in 3rd level institutions.”
“I am also delighted to see the commitment from Údarás na Gaeltachta to support 1,500 new jobs in client companies in the Gaeltacht by 2020 and also the commitment to develop four innovation hubs to support entrepreneurship and start-up companies in the Gaeltacht Regions. ”
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Note to Editors
You can read the full Action Plan here: http://www.ahrrga.gov.ie/app/uploads/2017/01/162404-rural-ireland-action-plan-web-2-1.pdf
There is a short video available to view at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGpZ-dnKqTc
23/01/17
Minister of State Kyne welcomes Údarás na Gaeltachta’s review of 2016
The Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs, Seán Kyne T.D., has welcomed the 2016 results published by Údarás na Gaeltachta today (23 January 2016).
“I welcome the positive employment figures shown once again by An tÚdarás this year,” said the Minister of State, “and believe it to be a clear indicator of the Government’s commitment to drive forward matters of development and employment in regional and rural areas. Údarás na Gaeltachta will play a central role in implementing the Action Plan for Rural Ireland. It is encouraging to see that employment levels remain stable in the Gaeltacht areas and that the number of new businesses established there continues to grow, with 36 new companies starting out in 2016, creating a total of 100 new jobs by the end of the year. By working in cooperation with my Department it is expected that this could be increased further over the coming years in the context of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030. I am particularly pleased with the 559 new full-time positions created in client companies of Údarás na Gaeltachta in 2016 and the 7,963 positions held at years end in companies supported by An tÚdarás, 7,348 of which were full-time and 615 of which were part-time.
“Of particular delight this year also,” said the Minister of State, “was the completion and official opening of Ionad Cultúrtha an Phiarsaigh, Conamara as one of the permanent reminders of the 1916 Centenary Celebrations. In this regard, Údarás na Gaeltacht deserve specific praise and gratitude for overseeing the development of this major project.’’
The Minister of State also made reference to the 2.4 million euro in additional funding he secured for Údarás na Gaeltachta’s capital budget during 2016. “I am satisfied that this helped the Údarás to retain jobs in their client companies in the Gaeltacht and to attract more investment to Gaeltacht areas. In that regard, I understand that Údarás aims to create 500 new jobs in the Gaeltacht in 2017.”
The Minister of State acknowledged in particular the progress made by Údarás na Gaeltachta during 2016 on the implementation of the language planning process in the Gaeltacht, in conjunction with the community organisations on the ground. “This is very important work in the context of meeting the Gaeltacht objectives of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 and I am pleased that An tÚdarás is prioritising the process in the 23 Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas for which notices have been made to date,” said the Minister of State.
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21/12/16
Minister Humphreys announces public consultation on National Biodiversity Action Plan 2017-2021
The Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs has announced that her Department is seeking the views of the public on the draft National Biodiversity Action Plan for conserving and restoring Ireland’s biodiversity and ecosystems.
This plan, which will run from 2017 to 2021, sets out actions through which a range of government, civil and private sectors will undertake to achieve Ireland’s ‘Vision for Biodiversity’. The plan was developed in collaboration with representatives from state agencies, NGOs and the private sector, and follows on from the work of the first and second National Biodiversity Action Plans.
Ireland is party to the 1992 United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which is focussed on ‘the conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources’. To this end, the CBD has identified five Strategic Goals and 20 Biodiversity Targets and each participating country must also develop national strategies and action plans for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
Achieving biodiversity targets would be a significant contribution towards achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
The National Biodiversity Action Plan captures the objectives, targets and actions for biodiversity through which Ireland is coordinating its efforts. To achieve these targets, seven strategic objectives were identified in the second National Biodiversity Action Plan. These objectives have been retained for the new Plan so that we can continue to build on the progress made in recent years.
Speaking today Minister Humphreys said:
“My Department supports a wide range of projects around the country which aim to protect our biodiversity, such as the EU LIFE freshwater pearl mussel conservation project in Kerry, and the Abbeyleix bog project, run by the local community. These projects show how we can address the decline of species and habitats through innovative approaches to the management of our natural heritage and fostering sustainable engagement with our biodiversity.
“Protecting our biodiversity isn’t just good for the environment, it’s also good for the economy and our society. For example, recreational angling is estimated to contribute €836 million to the Irish economy, making a strong financial argument for us to care for our rivers, lakes and seas. My Department is now seeking input from the public on the National Biodiversity Plan and I would encourage interested organisations or individuals to make their views known.”
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Notes to Editor:
The Draft Plan is available to view and/or download at www.npws.ie
Submissions can be made until 20th January, 2017.
Interested organisations or individuals may submit written observations via a SurveyMonkey questionnaire on the National Parks and Wildlife Service website. Alternatively, submissions can be made in writing to the address below. The closing date for submissions is 20th January 2017. Observations can be made in English or Irish.
Biodiversity and EU Programmes
National Parks & Wildlife Service
Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
7 Ely Place
Dublin 2
Telephone: 01 888 3242 / 3213
Website: www.npws.ie
