Sinn Féin Finance Spokesperson Deputy Pearse Doherty is demanding that the Government make additional resources available to the organisations which administer the Irish language schools scheme ‘Scéim na gCúntoirí Teanga’.
Deputy Doherty said; “Scéim na gCúintoirí Teanga is hugely beneficial. The main aim of the scheme is to strengthen Irish – our native and first language of the state – as a spoken language amongst the young people of the Gaeltacht.
“The scheme is administered by two organisations on behalf of the Department, ‘Muintearas Teo.’ and ‘Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne Teo.’ in the south region. I am confident that everyone will agree that both organisations do sterling work as part of their role to ensure the delivery of the scheme.
“There is no denying the support which this initiative provides to pupils from the Gaeltacht with regards to language acquisition and Irish language promotion, and we must also recognise the employment opportunities which are created as a result for those living in the Gaeltacht, particularly for young and newly qualified graduates.
“And despite these benefits, the scheme has yet to commence for the current school year, even though September is coming to a close and it is clear that the scheme’s organisers are facing many problems.
“I myself have spoken with those responsible for overseeing the scheme, and it’s claimed that the programme is under tremendous pressure and there are stark problems to overcome.
“It has been said that there are thirteen additional schools taking part in the scheme this year and, even though there are therefore more participants involved for the academic year 2016/17, assistants have yet to be appointed to them because of Government cutbacks as well as cuts which were made in previous years.
“This essentially means that the appropriate language supports are not in place in these school – this is completely scandalous.
“I will be raising this matter with the Minister in the Dáil in the coming days where I will be demanding that increased resources are made available to schools as part of this scheme, as it’s only fair that we show our gratitude to Language assistants for the work they carry out and for sharing the language with pupils each year.”
As Gaeilge:
Tá Urlabhraí Airgeadais Shinn Féin, Teachta Pearse Doherty, ag éileamh go gcuirfeadh an railtas níos mó acmhainní ar fáil do na heagraíochtaí atá freagrach as riar Scéim na gCúntoirí Teanga.
Deir Teachta Doherty:
“Is scéim iontach tabhachtach é Scéim na gCúntoirí Teanga. Is é príomhchuspóir an scéime ná an Ghaeilge – ár dteanga dhúchais agus céad teanga an Stáit – a neartú mar theanga labhartha i measc aos óg na Gaeltachta.
“Tá an scéim riartha ag dá eagras thar ceann na Roinne, Is iad ‘Muintearas Teo’ agus ‘Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne Teo’ ó dheas. Táim cinnte go n-aontóidh achan duine liom nuair a deir mé go ndéanann an bheirt acu obair ar leith mar chuid dá ról chun an scéim seo a sheachadadh.
“Níl aon dul as againn ach an cuidiú a thugann an tionscnamh do daltaí ón Ghaeltacht a aithint, ó thaobh sealbhú teanga agus cothú na Gaeilge, agus ba chóir dúinn trácht a dhéanamh ar na deiseanna fostaíochta atá á gcruthú do muintir na Gaeltachta, go háirithe do daoine óga nuacháilithe, ag an scéim fosta.
“In ainneoin na buntáistí seo afách, tá an scéim don scoilbhiain seo fós le tosú, cé go bhfuil mí Meán Fómhair ag teacht chun deiridh agus tá sé soiléir go bhfuil roinnte fadhbanna os comhair lucht riaracháin na scéime.
“Bhí mé féin ag caint le daoine agus iad freagrach as seachadadh na scéime, agus maítear go bhfuil an scéim faoi bhrú agus go bhfuil neart dúsláin le sárú.
“Deirtear go bhfuil trí scoil déag breise ag glacadh páirt sa scéim i mbliana agus, cé go bhfuil níos mó rannpháirtithe san áireamh don scoilbhliain 2016/17, tá Cúntóirí fós le ceapadh dóibh de dheasca na gciorraithe atá á ndéanamh ag an railtas agus a bhí déanta le dornán beag blianta anuas.
“Ciallaíonn sé seo nach bhfuil na tacaíochtaí teanga cuí i bhfeidhm sna scoileanna seo – sin scannalach ar fad.
“Mar sin, cuirfidh mé Ceist Dála ar an Aire go luath agus beidh mise ag éileamh go gcuirfí níos mó acmhainní ar fáil do scoileanna mar chuid den scéim seo, mar ba cheart go mbeadh muidne fá chomaoin ag Cúntóirí as a shaibhreas teangan a roinneann siad le daltaí achan bhliain gan teip.”
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