DUP urged to end ‘blockade’ on Irish language body’s funding ahead of Stormont protest

The DUP has been urged to end the “blockade” that is preventing additional funding being allocated to a cash-strapped, cross-border Irish language body.

The call comes ahead of a protest at Stormont on Tuesday highlighting a funding crisis at Foras na Gaeilge.

The Irish language group, which says its funding has already been reduced by 45% in real terms over the past two decades, must find savings of more than €800,000 (£669,000), which will impact on a number of groups in the north.

Under the existing rules, agreed when the cross-border body was established after the Good Friday Agreement, 75% of funding for Foras na Gaeilge from the Republic’s government must be matched by 25% from Stormont.

A new framework that would enable either administration to increase its proportion of the funding unilaterally was agreed by both finance ministers and recorded in the joint communiqué issued after last September’s North South Ministerial Council meeting.

However, it is understood the DUP has blocked any effort to by the Stormont executive to approve the new framework on no fewer than seven occasions.

DUP Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly has said previously that the proposal to change the funding arrangements for north-south bodies “breaks the balance” between Stormont and the Dublin government.

The DUP made no further comment when contacted by The Irish News.

According to the Department of Rural and Community Development, which provides funding to Foras na Gaeilge on behalf of the southern government, additional money is available but under existing rules it must be matched by Stormont’s Department for Communities before any increase can be made.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday morning’s protest, which will see Irish language groups across converge outside Parliament Buildings, SDLP Irish language spokesperson Patsy McGlone said the cuts Foras na Gaeilge was forced to make were “devastating”.

• “It’s clear that there is broad consensus on a new funding model for Foras na Gaeilge and it’s totally unacceptable that the DUP are blocking this from being discussed at the executive,” the Mid Ulster representative said.

“They should explain their actions and outline why they are holding up this important funding for Irish language groups.”

Mr McGlone said his party would be “standing in solidarity” with the Irish language groups and calling on the DUP to end its “blockade”.

Representatives of Irish language advocacy group Conradh na Gaeilge met Finance Minister John O’Dowd on Monday.

A Department of Finance statement said: “The minister had a positive meeting with Conradh na Gaeilge and discussed a range of issues including funding.”

It said the proposal for an alternative funding framework was “currently with ministerial colleagues for consideration”.