Statement made by the Chief Executive of Údarás na Gaeltachta at a seminar for Language Services Centre

28 May, 2009

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Speaking at a seminar for directors of the Gaeltacht based Language Services Centre in Claregalway today, Pádraig Ó hAoláin, Chief Executive of Údarás na Gaeltachta said that a public debate in every Gaeltacht community regarding the future of its Gaeltacht status was of the utmost important when the Government publishes the 20 year Irish Language Strategy.

He said it wasn’t sufficient for communities to demand that they retain their Gaeltacht status but that an action plan was also required to face the challenges associated with the preservation of the Irish language as a community and family language. He also referred to speculation regarding amendments to the Údarás structure and functions before the end of 2010 and he advised the directors of the Language Services Centres and other community representatives throughout the Gaeltacht to promote discussion and debate concerning a state structure that would best suit the Gaeltacht requirements in the challenging times that lie ahead.

Údarás na Gaeltachta organised the seminar for the directors of Language Services Centres in the Claregalway Hotel today (Wednesday 27 May). To date Údarás has established 32 Language Services Centres throughout the Gaeltacht and their directors gathered to discuss the Language Centres’ development and marketing activities.