Gaeloideachas staff to attend Dublin demonstration along with other voluntary organisations

There has been a continuous reduction in the ability of Gaeloideachas to provide comprehensive support services to Irish-medium and Gaeltacht schools for a number of years as a result of the funding difficulties facing Foras na Gaeilge. The crisis is worsening, and there is now a risk that Gaeloideachas, the national organisation supporting the development of Irish-medium and Gaeltacht education, will not have sufficient funding to run its core events and conferences for schools. The Tionól Forbartha, an annual conference for Irish-medium and Gaeltacht schools, and Bláthú, a conference on special educational needs, are among the events that will be at risk, according to the organisation.

Staff members of Gaeloideachas will take part in a demonstration organised by the Irish-language community to highlight the funding crisis in the sector, together with other voluntary organisations that are struggling as a result of cuts to their funding. The demonstration will take place at Leinster House in Dublin at midday on 26 March.

“This crisis is having a direct impact on naíonraí, Irish-medium schools, and Gaeltacht schools,” said Clodagh Ní Mhaoilchiaráin, President of Gaeloideachas and principal of Gaelscoil Bhaile Brigín. “The Tionól Forbartha and Bláthú are extremely important events, not only for professional development to improve teachers’ ability to support all of their students, but for community-building within the sector.”

“Previously, Gaeloideachas had no choice but to end its Le Chéile Trí Ghaeilge grant scheme, which was in high demand and gave naíonraí and schools the opportunity to come together and enjoy joint events – sports days, Gaeltacht trips, Irish classes for parents, and more,” continued Ní Mhaoilchiaráin.

“There has been no increase  in the core funding provided by Foras na Gaeilge to Gaeloideachas since 2017 and inflation rates have not been taken into account in the annual budget the organisation receives to provide its services,” states Bláthnaid ní Ghréacháin, CEO of Gaeloideachas. “Consequently, there is significantly less money available to us now to provide supports to the Irish-medium education community.”

The increase in costs over the past eight years amounts to 22.4% according to information from the Central Statistics office; that is, for every €1.00 Gaeloideachas received in funding in 2017, it would need €1.22 today.

However, the crisis has a far wider reach than Gaeloideachas alone. “There isn’t sufficient funding available for organisations like youth clubs, language classes, events, festivals, and plenty more that are being funded by Foras na Gaeilge – essential services that provide encouragement, hope, and opportunities to use their Irish for the community, including both Irish speakers and people who want to learn Irish. This crisis is particularly detrimental to community-based activities and we need to show solidarity and support to other organisations and committees,” said ní Ghréacháin.

“In the case of Gaeloideachas, we are committed to following through with the wishes of the volunteers and Irish-medium schools that established the organisation Gaelscoileanna over fifty years ago, whose vision it was that immersion education would be available as a convenient local choice for parents and their children. We need to stand with other committees and organisations which were born out of this recognised need and acknowledge their vision and commitment.

Gaeloideachas asks the Irish-language community to join with it outside Leinster House on 26 March and add to the voices of the organisations, including Conradh na Gaeilge, Glór na nGael, Gael Linn, Cumann na bhFiann, and Oireachtas na Gaeilge as well as a range of other community groups. Make the voice of the Irish-language community heard!