Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

191. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will make provision for a Cultúrlann in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45580/24]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

A specific commitment has been made in the Programme for Government to "promote the development of Irish Language Centres in Dublin and across the country, for a community-based approach to Irish Language promotion".

This commitment builds on those previously given in the Government's Action Plan for the Irish Language 2018-2022 (actions 4.12 and 4.13 specifically) and the National Development Plan 2018-2027 (Project Ireland 2040) in respect of Irish-Language Centres.

On a practical level, my Department supports the development of Irish-Language Centres through the Irish Language Support Schemes (Capital Programme) which has an allocation of €4m in 2024.

Community-based organisations, or organisations operating through Irish outside the Gaeltacht, may make an application under this scheme. Funding can be provided to assist with the building or refurbishing of Irish language centres, with the purchase of buildings for use as Irish language centres, and with the purchase of equipment for such centres.

The purpose of the capital assistance provided under this fund is to strengthen the Irish Language as a community and family language in accordance with the Gaeltacht Act 2012 and the 20 Year Strategy for Irish 2010-2030.

I understand from my officials that, while they have sent out application forms for the scheme to a community-based group in Co. Kildare, they have yet not received an application for the development of an Irish language centre in the county. Should an application be received, it will be processed in the normal way, in accordance with the conditions of the scheme.

Further information on this scheme is available on my Departments website.