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Funding the Revival of the Language.

deise go deo · 2012-02-15 00:51:33

With the announcment that Foras na Gaeilge will be restructuring the Funding model for the Irish Language voluntary sector next year, and the strain on public finances in general which will probably see further cutbacks in the availability of state funding for the Irish Language, it is likely that the Language movement…

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15-02-2012 1:51am

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deise go deo

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With the announcment that Foras na Gaeilge will be restructuring the Funding model for the Irish Language voluntary sector next year, and the strain on public finances in general which will probably see further cutbacks in the availability of state funding for the Irish Language, it is likely that the Language movement will need to find alternate sources of finance if it is to keep moving forward.

There are a few examples of this happening already such as FnaG and Rith

However both of these initiatives seem quite limited in the scope they have for attracting sponsership for the language. We have already seen the delays and damage that can be caused when the state decides to hold up funding: for example the decision not to recognise any new Gaelscoils in 2008.
In the case of Gaelscoil Rath Tó, the language community was able to come together and collect money to allow it to go ahead, I believe that an initative such as that should be put on a more formal footing to allow for the constant collection of funds that can be used to support the language, whether it be setting up a new Gaelscoil, the opening of a new language center of the establishing of a new Irish Language youth club.

The main challenge is actually collecting money, there is wide spread 'soft' support for the language in general, even if they do not get involved themselves, people are happy that it is there and that others are trying to promote it. What is needed are ways to tap into this support, people might be happy to give a few euro on the street, but are unlikely to go to a website and donate.

One Idea I have would be to get in touch with the national lottery, who already provide money to support the language and get them to launch an Irish language scratch card, the proceeds from witch would go to supporting the language.

So, what say ye? Have you got any ideas?

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