Irish language groups to take strike action against ‘disastrous’ funding cuts

Over 40 Irish-language and Gaeltacht groups across the country will take strike action tomorrow to protest "disastrous” funding cuts in the sector.

A half-day strike will take place on Wednesday to call on the governments in both Dublin and in Belfast to “reverse the latest cuts of €820,000 announced recently by Foras na Gaeilge".

They are calling for “appropriate funding” to Foras na Gaeilge, an all-island public body, and to “urgently develop a long-term solution for Irish-language funding”.

Some 25pc of the Foras na Gaeilge budget comes from the government in Northern Ireland, while 75pc comes from the Irish government.

Organisers have said the DUP is currently blocking a proposal to amend the funding structure of the Language Act, which currently means neither government can put additional money towards the budget of Foras na Gaeilge without the equivalent from the other.

The Northern Ireland Executive is yet to agree to a new amendment which would remove this stipulation.

Strike organisers have said the DUP is “vetoing additional funding for the Irish language on a 32-county basis at a time when the Irish Government has said that they have extra money ready to go immediately to Foras na Gaeilge”.

The campaign is seeking “immediate” adoption of a new funding model, alongside at least €20 million in additional investment and a commitment from Foras na Gaeilge to fund the project and grantees mentioned in it’s ‘growth plan’ as a priority for any additional funding.

President of Conradh na Gaeilge Ciarán Mac Giolla Bhéin said it is a “matter of regret” that the groups must take strike action, but said they had “no other choice”.

"The latest cuts announced by Foras na Gaeilge are disastrous and affect groups who are already under severe funding pressure,£ he said, describing the action as a “testament to the frustration and anger” felt.

“Community groups across the country are struggling to heat and light their buildings, let alone provide basic services and implement work plans.

"The fact that this is happening over 25 years on from the Good Friday Agreement which promised a new era of equality for the language is hugely concerning.

"It is clear that we have a huge problem and that the new cross-border agency, which is responsible for the proper funding of the promotion of the Irish language, has been completely failed by both governments in the last 20 years.

"There is an urgent need for a satisfactory, long-term solution and I urge both governments to come to an immediate settlement.”

Caoimhe Ní Shúilleabháin, the Irish Language Development Officer with Cill Dara le Gaeilge said the strike is the first time the Irish-language and Gaeltacht community has ever taken such action.

"It is scandalous that groups, from all over the country, feel the need to take strike action to push this issue forward with both Governments.

"All the groups are under enormous pressure. We all came together two weeks ago in Dublin and we were united in the fact that there is now a funding crisis in the community, and that the funding structure north and south behind Foras na Gaeilge is completely broken.”