Language JC 26 October 2007

1. The first NSMC North/South Language Body Sectoral meeting since the restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly was held in Altnaveigh House in Newry, Co Down on Friday, 26 October 2007.

2. The Northern Ireland delegation comprised Edwin Poots, MLA, Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure and Caitríona Ruane, MLA, Minister of Education.   The Irish Government was represented by Éamon Ó Cuív, TD., Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. Minister Poots chaired the meeting.

3. The meeting dealt with issues relating to the Language Body and its two constituent agencies, Tha Boord o Ulstèr Scotch (The Ulster Scots Agency) and Foras na Gaelige (The Irish Language Agency).

4.The Chief Executive of tha Boord o Ulstèr Scotch, Mr George Patton and his colleague the Chief Executive of Foras na Gaeilge, An tUas. Ferdie Mac an Fhailigh reported on developments since the Council last met in this sector on 26 June 2002.

5. Foras na Gaeilge and Tha Boord o Ulstèr Scotch have worked jointly on a number of projects, including joint funding of the posts of “Arts Development Officer for Language Arts” (with the Arts Council of Northern Ireland) and Cultural Officer in Altnaveigh House Cultural Society in Newry. In addition they piloted a joint lecture series on “Our Shared Heritage” which was made available to a variety of bodies.

6. In relation to the work of tha Boord o Ulstèr Scotch, Ministers welcomed the Agency’s successful introduction of the first ever Ulster-Scots summer schools in 2006, leading to 33 summer schools in 2007. In culture, the major area of growth was in dance and musical tuition.  The Youth Development Officer, funded by the Irish Youth Foundation in 2006, enabled the Agency to work with young people in inner city areas. In Education the Agency commissioned a schools drama with 120 primary schools receiving the production this year. The Agency has piloted Ulster-Scots after school clubs in a number of locations.

7. Ministers welcomed a report on the work of Foras, especially in the eGovernment area with the development of an online database of terminology – www.focal.ie, the launch (with Microsoft) of an Irish language version of Windows XP and the development of Córas Creidiúnaithe/an Accreditation Scheme for Irish Language translators. A successful three-year local community support scheme which provided funding to 20 groups throughout the island of Ireland has been extended to 2010.   The success of the scheme has led the Foras to widen the scheme to post-primary level this year.

8. The Council discussed tha Agency’s community programmes and noted in particular the significant progress in music, dance and drama and work with young people.   They noted that tha Boord will establish a new Development Grant scheme beginning in February 2008.  

9. Recognising the very positive reception given to Ulster-Scots language, heritage and culture at the Smithsonian Festival in Washington earlier this year and the planned activities associated with the 400^th anniversary of the Plantation of Ulster, the Council invited the Agency to bring forward a proposal for a programme to develop links and cultural exchanges with Ulster-Scots communities in Scotland and North America.

10. In relation to the Foras na Gaeilge staffing and decentralisation programme, the Council welcomed progress in the implementation of the NSMC Decision of March 2006 that 30 staff posts of Foras na Gaeilge should be located in Gaoth Dobhair.

11. Ministers noted a staffing submission made by Foras na Gaeilge in relation to filling of posts in the organization – including posts earmarked for Gaoth Dobhair - and agreed that a working group will be established representing Foras na Gaeilge and the two sponsor Departments, to reach agreement on the staffing submission and, in particular to quantify the financial implications in 2008 and subsequent financial years.  Ministers further agreed that the working group should seek to progress agreement on a number of key posts identified in the submission which can be met from existing financial allocations in the shortest possible timeframe.

12. The Council approved the proposal to transfer the functions of Bord na Leabhar Gaeilge to Foras na Gaeilge, from 1 January 2008.  Bord na Leabhar Gaeilge (the Irish Language Books Board) was established in 1952 as a non-statutory state body and its objective is to assist writers and publishers in supplying Irish language material for the general public.   Ministers noted that funding for Bord na Leabhar Gaeilge will continue to be provided by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

13. The Council discussed administrative and governance issues arising in relation to Colmcille, an organisation established in 1997 and funded jointly by the administrations in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland, to develop stronger links between Gaelic speakers and noted that work had been undertaken in relation to possible new arrangements to take that work forward under the aegis of Foras na Gaeilge in Ireland and Bord na Gaidhlig in Scotland.  The Council asked officials to continue their work in examination of the issues arising and future options and agreed to consider the matter further at its next meeting on the basis of a report prepared by officials.

14. The Council noted the position in relation to publication of Annual Reports and Accounts of the Language Body.   Ministers noted that the Agencies are up-to-date in submission of the individual accounts, but that clearance of consolidated accounts is awaited.  Ministers requested the Chief Executive Officers of the Agencies, with the support of the Sponsor Departments, to seek to progress all outstanding Reports and Accounts with the C&AGs North and South as a matter of priority and to report on progress to the next NSMC meeting in Language sectoral format.

15. The Council discussed the draft future plans of the constituent agencies of the North/South Language body.  They asked the two Agencies and sponsor departments to work together to finalise the 2008 Business Plans and the 2008-2010 Corporate Plans urgently and bring them forward for approval at the next NSMC meeting in Language sectoral format

16. The Council agreed to meet again in Language Sectoral format in January/February 2008.

Joint Secretariat

October 2007