Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure


Frequently Asked Questions

Please click on a question below to go to that question and answer:

What languages are spoken in Northern Ireland?

English is the most widely spoken language in Northern Ireland

Here are estimates of the number of people who speak languages other than English in Northern Ireland:

Irish 106,844
Ulster Scots 35,000
Chinese 4,200
British Sign Language 3,000
Irish Sign Language 1,500
Cant/Shelta/Gammon 1,700
Arabic 1000-1500
Portuguese 1000+
Tagalog 600
Bengali 450-500
Hindi or Punjabi 1,700
Southern Indian Languages 500
Farsi 350

There has been a significant increase in the numbers of migrant workers entering  Northern Ireland particularly from the new EU accession States, but figures on the number of people who speak languages from these areas are not yet available.

From a variety of sources: 2001 Census. 1999 Northern Ireland Life and Times survey, 'In other words' report by Daniel Holder, Kirk/O'Baoil, British Deaf Association.

What is the Irish language?

The Irish language is one of the oldest languages in the world.
It belongs to the Celtic branch of the Indo-European languages, other similar languages are Scottish Gaelic, Manx, Welsh, Breton and Cornish.

The Irish language movement in Northern Ireland is essentially revivalist. The last native [historically] speakers of Irish died in the 1970s but, by then, Irish-speaking families had appeared in different parts of Northern Ireland, including a small cluster in Belfast.  Irish is being transmitted inter-generationally in these families.
Irish speakers are spread throughout Northern Ireland with the largest concentration in the greater Belfast area. Around 4,000 children are currently taught through the medium of Irish, and Irish is the third most popular taught language at GCSE in Northern Irish schools.

What is the Ulster-Scots language?

Ulster-Scots is a Germanic language and is the local variety of the Scots language. It is mainly spoken in rural areas of north-east County Down, Antrim, east Londonderry and in east Donegal in the Republic of Ireland.

English, Dutch and German are other Germanic languages so Ulster-Scots shares many features with them.

The Scots language was once used in the Scottish court and was brought to Ireland at the time of the Plantations.

Ulster-Scots is defined in legislation as:
'the variety of the Scots language, which has traditionally been used in parts of Northern Ireland and Donegal'. (The North/South Co-operation (Implementation Bodies) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999)

What is Sign Language?

Sign Language is the preferred means of communication of 5,000 of the 17,000 people in Northern Ireland who are severely or profoundly deaf and it is also used by a significant number of their families and friends. Sign Language is a language in its own right. It has its own grammar and syntax, completely different from the grammatical rules of English. It uses both manual and non-manual components: handshapes and movements, facial expression, and body language.

In Northern Ireland there are two sign languages, British Sign Language (BSL) and Irish Sign Language (ISL). Approximately 3,500 people here use BSL and 1,500 use ISL. BSL and ISL are very different and distinct languages, eg the finger spelling alphabet used with BSL is two-handed, unlike the one-handed finger spelling alphabet used with ISL.

What is the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages?

The Charter is an international convention designed to protect and promote regional and minority languages. The Charter does not establish any individual or collective rights for the speakers of regional or minority languages. The Charter’s overriding purpose is cultural. It is designed to protect and promote regional or minority languages as a threatened aspect of Europe’s cultural heritage.

The UK Government signed the Charter on 2 March 2000 and ratified it on 27 March 2001. The Charter came into force on 2 July 2001.

It is binding upon each of the ratifying States. Thus it has implications for all Northern Ireland Government departments and associated bodies, for Whitehall departments operating in Northern Ireland and for Local Government.  In Northern Ireland it applies to Irish and Ulster-Scots.

It does not cover sign languages or the languages of the minority ethnic communities.

The UK Government must provide periodic reports to the Council of Europe Committee of Experts who report periodically on each state’s compliance with its Charter obligations.

What does the Charter mean for Irish?

The signing of the Charter means that Irish language users can use Irish when writing or phoning Government Departments or Agencies. Government Departments or Agencies don’t have to reply in Irish, although they may do so. This means you can write in Irish on application forms, tax returns and so on. You should bear in mind that as the working language of the Northern Ireland Civil Service is English most submissions in Irish will have to be translated, and that as a result it may take a little longer to respond.

If Irish users wish to speak to a non-Irish speaking Government official in Irish notice should be given so that an interpreter can be arranged, if this is possible.

Government will also translate and publish certain documents that are of particular interest to Irish speakers.

What does the Charter mean for Ulster-Scots?

Although the Charter does not oblige Government Departments and Agencies to accept Ulster-Scots letters or phone calls, most will do so. Government Departments or Agencies don’t have to reply in Ulster-Scots, although they can do so. This means you can write in Ulster-Scots on application forms, tax returns and so on. You should bear in mind that as the working language of the Northern Ireland Civil Service is English most submissions in Ulster-Scots will have to be translated, and that as a result it may take a little longer to respond.

Normally (due to problems arranging translators) Ulster-Scots speakers will not be able to arrange for a meeting to be held in Ulster-Scots.

Government will also translate and publish certain documents that are of particular interest to Ulster-Scots speakers.

What is DCAL doing to help the Irish Language?

In conjunction with the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs DCAL funds Foras na Gaeilge (The Irish Language Agency).

Foras na Gaeilge is responsible for the promotion of the Irish language.

DCAL also provides funding to Colmcille: an organisation whose aim is ‘to foster support for the Gaelic language and develop links between Gaelic Scotland and Ireland’.

DCAL operates the quality controlled Irish translation service for the Northern Ireland Civil Service. We continue to work to standardise and improve the Irish translations used by the public sector.

Increased production of Irish language programmes is being promoted through the Irish Language Broadcasting Fund.

Within the Civil Service DCAL has taken the lead role in developing the ways that Irish speakers can use their language of choice when they deal with Government agencies. You should bear in mind, however, that Departments are responsible and answerable for their own actions in this regard.

This activity has included the production of guidance for public servants to help them meet their obligations under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in relation to the Irish and Ulster-Scots languages.

What is DCAL doing to help Ulster-Scots?

In conjunction with the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs  DCAL funds the Ulster-Scots Agency (Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch).

The Ulster-Scots Agency  (Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch) is responsible for promotion of greater awareness and use of Ullans and of Ulster-Scots cultural issues, both within Northern Ireland and throughout the island.

DCAL is also developing plans for an Ulster-Scots Academy, which we would hope to have up and running in the near future.

DCAL has also taken a lead role in producing guidance for public servants to help them meet their obligations under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in relation to the Ulster-Scots language.

What is DCAL doing to help Sign language?

The Belfast/Good Friday Agreement provides the overarching policy objective for our work on linguistic diversity


Although British Sign Language (BSL) and  Irish Sign  Language (ISL) were not specifically mentioned in the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, the Department has always treated them as recognised languages.   

On 29 March 2004, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland announced the formal recognition of BSL and ISL as languages in their own right.  Through a Sign Language Partnership Group, Government Departments working together with representatives of the Deaf community in partnership under the leadership of DCAL,  are taking action to improve respect, understanding and tolerance of BSL and ISL and to develop ideas for improving access to public services. Work to date has included the development of a touring exhibition to raise awareness of BSL and ISL, the development of guidance to front line staff in Government Departments and Research to identify options and opportunities to enhance the supply of sign language interpreters and tutors.

What is DCAL doing to help Minority Ethnic Community Languages?

As part of the Northern Ireland Race Forum DCAL is taking the lead in a group that will be looking at the language and communication needs that minority ethnic communities have in accessing public services here. The group will be a partnership between interested voluntary and community groups, the public sector and other organisations. It is hoped that by developing standards and identifying best practice the group will be able to draw up proposals that will reduce the inequalities experienced by minority ethnic language speakers here.

How does the North/South Language Body work? What does it do? Where is it located?

The Body was set up in December 1999 in order to give effect to a commitment by the British and Irish governments in the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. The body consists of 24 board members; 16 with an interest in Irish and 8 with an interest in Ulster-Scots.

In effect these two groups operate as two boards, one with responsibility for the Irish side, and one with responsibility for the Ulster-Scots side of the Language Body’s remit.

Each of the two groups has a Chairperson, who together act as joint Chairs of the Language Body. The Language Body has two implementation Agencies: The Ulster-Scots Agency (Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch) and Foras na Gaeilge (Irish Language Agency).

The NSMC (North/South Ministerial Council) Joint Secretariat facilitates the sponsor Departments (DCAL and DCRGA) and the Language Body in developing arrangements to assist the Agencies to carry out their functions in accordance with their legislative remit. The NSMC Joint Secretariat co-ordinates Ministerial decisions through the NSMC Interim Procedures process.

The North/South Co-operation (Implementation Bodies) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 outlines the function of the North/South Body:

"One Body, with two separate parts, with the following functions:

Irish Language:

a. promotion of the Irish language;

b. facilitating and encouraging its use in speech and writing in public and private life in the South and, in the context of Part III of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, in Northern Ireland where there is appropriate demand;

c. advising both administrations, public bodies and other groups in the private and voluntary sectors;

d. undertaking supportive projects, and grant-aiding bodies and groups as considered necessary;

e. undertaking research, promotional campaigns, and public and media relations;

f. developing terminology and dictionaries;

g. supporting Irish-medium education and the teaching of Irish.

Ulster Scots:

promotion of greater awareness and use of Ullans and of Ulster-Scots cultural issues, both within Northern Ireland and throughout the island."

Foras na Gaeilge has a head office in Dublin and an office in Belfast.  The Ulster-Scots Agency (Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch) is based in Belfast with an office in Donegal.

How is the budget decided for the Irish and Ulster-Scots parts of the North/South language body? Why are they different?

The budgets of the two agencies are set independently according to their own particular needs (as outlined in their business plans) and taking into account available funding. The budgets are agreed jointly by DCAL and DCRGA, working with the respective finance departments, and obviously in close consultation with the two agencies. They are not set in relation to each other. Both agencies run on calendar years.

DCAL funds 75% of the Ulster-Scots Agency (Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch) budget and DCRGA funds 25%. DCRGA funds 75% of Foras na Gaeilge's budget and DCAL funds 25%. These proportions were agreed when the bodies were set up and have been maintained since.

You should also take into account that DCRGA funds in euro, and DCAL funds in sterling.

The budgets for the two agencies are different for a variety of reasons, including:

1. Numbers of customers

2. The level of development and the different situation of the two languages and the capacity of the communities.

3. The Ulster-Scots Agency (Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch) started from scratch, while Foras na Gaeilge (Irish Language Agency) was formed from existing organisations, with existing financial commitments and experienced staff.

What is the budget of the North/South Language Body?

The North/South Language Body operates in calendar years.

As the two agencies in the Body receive their grant in two currencies, currency fluctuations affect the final amounts.

The main currency of the Ulster-Scots Agency (Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch) is sterling, and the main currency of Foras na Gaeilge is euro (previously Irish Pounds), so we have given figures in these currencies:

Ulster-Scots Agency (separately)
year GBP (millions)

2002 1.42
2003 1.54
2004 1.704
2005 1.809

2006 2.132


Foras na Gaeilge (separately)
year Euro (millions)

2002 17.87 EURO
2003 17.87 EURO
2004 18.694 EURO
2005 19.356

2006 19.862

DCAL funds 75% of the Ulster-Scots Agency budget and DCRGA funds 25%. DCRGA funds 75% of Foras na Gaeilge's Budget and DCAL funds 25%. These proportions were agreed when the bodies were set up and have been maintained since.

Who speaks Irish?

The 2001 Census found that 167,490 people had ‘some knowledge of Irish’, and of these that 75,125 ‘speaks, reads, writes and understands Irish’.

The Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey and the Census indicate that those speaking Irish tend to be Roman Catholic, nationalist and young. There are no significant differentials in relation to gender, marital status or dependants, and we have no data in relation to sexual orientation. Irish Travellers are more likely to speak Irish as are single people and people who are not disabled.

Who speaks Ulster-Scots in Northern Ireland?

The Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey (1999) found that 2% of the population spoke Ulster-Scots: this would be around 35,000 people. The Ulster-Scots Language Society estimates that there are 100,000 speakers. In addition there are Ulster-Scots speakers in east Donegal. Of course there are also up to two million Scots speakers in Scotland.

The Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey (based on a small number of Ulster-Scots speakers- 43) found that speakers of Ulster-Scots are more likely to be older and are slightly more likely to be Protestant or male. It also found that slightly less than half of Ulster-Scots speakers considered themselves ‘unionist’, the remainder were fairly evenly split between ‘nationalist’ and ‘neither’. There are no significant differentials in relation to gender, marital status or dependants, and we have no data in relation to sexual orientation.

I am involved in an Irish or Ulster-Scots language programme and am interested in getting a grant, what should I do?

DCAL doesn't directly grant aid organisations, rather we operate through our Agencies.

Foras na Gaeilge provides funding to Irish language groups and organisations.
To find out if you meet the relevant grant criteria you should contact its head office in Dublin:

Foras na Gaeilgez
7 Cearnóg Mhuirfean
Baile Átha Cliath 2

Teileafón:       1850 325325 (Eire) / 0845 3098142(NI)
Ríomhphost:   eolas@forasnagaeilge.ie Opens new window

Suíom Gréasáin: www.gaeilge.ie Opens new window

Or their office in Belfast:
Foras na Gaeilge
Westgate House
2-4 Queen Street
Belfast

BT1 6ED
Telephone:028 9089 0970
Email:  eolas@forasnagaeilge.ie Opens new window

Website: www.gaeilge.ie Opens new window


The Ulster-Scots Agency provides funding to Ulster-Scots groups and organisations. To find out if you meet the relevant grant criteria you should contact its head office in Belfast:

The Ulster-Scots Agency
Franklin House
5th Floor
10-12 Brunswick Street
Belfast
BT2 7GE
Telephone:028 9023 1113 (NI) / 00353 749173876 (Eire)
Email: info@ulsterscotsagency.org.uk Opens new window

Website: www.ulsterscotsagency.com Opens new window


There are of course many other grant giving organisations, and in the past many Irish and Ulster-Scots groups have successfully received grants from other sources as their activities also matched their grant criteria.

I am interested in learning a language, what should I do?

If you are interested in learning Irish there is useful information on Foras na Gaeilge’s website

If you are interested in learning Ulster-Scots there is useful information on Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch website

I use Irish or Ulster-Scots in my everyday life: can I phone or write to the Government in the language I prefer?

Yes. You can write to any Government department or agency in Irish or Ulster-Scots. Some bodies may also write back in your language of choice.

You can also phone Government in Irish or Ulster-Scots:

voicemails have been set up to allow this:

Irish: 028 90515251

Ulster-Scots: 028 90515252

Please make sure you state who the message is for and give your address so that a response can be sent to you after your message is translated.

Ceisteanna Coitianta

Cliceáil ar cheist thíos chun dul chuig an gceist agus an freagra sin:

  • Cén teangacha a labhraítear i dTuaisceart Éireann?
  • Céard í an Ghaeilge?
  • Ceard í Albainis Uladh?
  • Cad atá sa Teanga Chomharthaíochta?
  • Cad atá sa Chairt Eorpach um Theangacha Réigiúnacha nó Mionlaigh?
  • Cad a chiallaíonn an Chairt don Ghaeilge?
  • Cad a chiallaíonn an Chairt d’Albainis Uladh
  • Cad atá á dhéanamh ag an RCEF chun cabhrú leis an nGaeilge?
  • Cad atá á dhéanamh ag an RCEF chun cabhrú le hAlbainis Uladh?
  • Cad atá á dhéanamh ag an RCEF chun cabhrú leis an Teanga Chomharthaíochta?
  • Cad atá á dhéanamh ag an RCEF chun cabhrú le Teangacha Eitneacha Pobal Mionlaigh?
  • Conas a fheidhmíonn an Foras Teanga? Cad a dhéanann sé? Cá bhfuil sé lonnaithe?
  • Conas a chinntear an buiséad do na codanna Gaeilge agus Albainis Uladh den Fhoras Teanga? Cén fáth go bhfuil difríocht eatarthu?
  • Cad é buiséad an Fhorais Teanga?
  • Cé a labhraíonn Gaeilge?
  • Cé a labhraíonn Albainis Uladh i dTuaisceart Éireann
  • Táim rannpháirteach i gclár teanga Gaeilge nó Albainis Uladh agus ba mhaith liom deontas a fháil, cad ba cheart dom a dhéanamh?
  • Tá spéis agam i dteanga a fhoghlaim, cad ba cheart dom a dhéanamh?
  • Úsáidim Gaeilge nó Albainis Uladh i mo shaol gach lá: an bhféadaim glaoch a chur ar an Rialtas nó scríobh chuige sa teanga is fearr liom?

Cén teangacha a labhraítear i dTuaisceart Éireann

Is é an Béarla an teanga is coitianta a labhraítear i dTuaisceart Éireann

Tá meastacháin anseo ar an líon daoine a labhraíonn teangacha eile seachas Béarla i dTuaisceart Éireann:

Gaeilge 106,844
Albainis Uladh 35,000
Sínis 4,200
Teanga Chomharthaíochta na Breataine 3,000
Teanga Chomharthaíochta na hÉireann 1,500
Caintis/Seiltis/Gaimis 1,700
Araibis 1000-1500
Portaingéilis 1000+
Tagálaigis 600
Beangáilis 450-500
Hiondúis nó Puinseáibis 1,700
Teangacha na hIndia Theas 500
Fairsis 350

Tá méadú suntasach tagtha ar an líon oibreoirí imirceacha atá ag teacht isteach go Tuaisceart Éireann as stáit aontachais nua an AE, ach níl figiúir ar an líon daoine a labhraíonn teangacha as na ceantair sin ar fáil fós.

As raon leathan foinsí: Daonáireamh 2001. 1999 Northern Ireland Life and Times survey, 'In other words' tuairisc le Daniel Holder, Kirk/O'Baoil, British Deaf Association.

Céard í an Ghaeilge?

Tá an Ghaeilge ina ceann de na teangacha is sine ar domhan.
Baineann sí leis an mbrainse Ceilteach de na teangacha Ind-Eorpacha, i measc na dteangacha eile atá cosúil léi tá Gaeilge na hAlban, Gaeilge Mhanann, an Bhreatnais, Briotáinis agus Coirnis.

Gluaiseacht athbheochana go bunúsach atá sa ghluaiseacht Gaeilge i dTuaisceart Éireann. D’éag na cainteoirí dúchais Gaeilge deireanacha [go stairiúil] sna 1970í, ach faoin am sin, bhí teaghlaigh labhartha Gaeilge tagtha chun cinn i gcodanna éagsúla de Thuaisceart Éireann,  agus bhí braisle beag i mBéal Feirste ina measc. Tá an Ghaeilge á tarchur idir na glúine sna teaghlaigh sin.
Tá cainteoirí Gaeilge scaipthe ar fud Thuaisceart Éireann agus tá an comhchruinniú is mó díobh i mórcheantar Bhéal Feirste. Múintear thart ar 4,000 leanbh trí Ghaeilge faoi láthair, agus is í an Ghaeilge an tríú teanga is coitianta a mhúintear ag leibhéal TGM i scoileanna i dTuaisceart Éireann.

Céard í Albainis Uladh?

Teanga Ghearmánach atá in Albainis Uladh agus is í an leagan éagsúil áitiúil d’Albainis. Labhraítear í go príomha i gceantair tuaithe in oirthuaisceart Chontae an Dúin, in Aontroim, in oirthear Dhoire agus in oirthear Dhún na nGall i bPoblacht na hÉireann.

Is teangacha Gearmánacha iad Béarla, Ollainnis agus Gearmáinis freisin agus mar sin tá go léir de na tréithe céanna ag Albainis Uladh agus atá acu.

Úsáidtí Albainis i gcúirt na hAlban uair amháin agus tugadh go hÉireann í in aimsir na bPlandálacha.

Sainítear Albainis Uladh sa reachtaíocht mar:
‘an chineál Albainise, a úsáidtí go traidisiúnta i gcodanna de Thuaisceart Éireann agus i nDún na nGall’. (An tOrdú um Chomhlachtaí Forfheidhmithe Comhoibrithe Thuaidh/Theas) (Tuaisceart Éireann) 1999)

Cad atá sa Teanga Chomharthaíochta?

Is í Teanga Chomharthaíochta an bealach roghnaithe le cumarsáid a dhéanamh do 5,000 as na 17,000 duine i dTuaisceart Éireann atá faoi mhórbhodhaire nó faoi ollbhodhaire agus úsáideann roinnt mhaith dá dteaghlaigh agus dá gcairde í chomh maith. Teanga inti féin atá sa Teanga Chomharthaíochta. Tá gramadach agus comhréir faoi leith ag baint leis, atá difriúil ó rialacha gramadaí an Bhéarla. Úsáideann sí idir gnéithe láimhe agus gnéithe neamhláimhe: cruthanna agus luailí láimhe, gothaí aghaidhe, agus comharthaíocht choirp.

I dTuaisceart Éireann tá dhá theanga chomharthaíochta ann, Teanga Chomharthaíochta na Breataine (TCB) agus Teanga Chomharthaíochta na hÉireann (TCÉ). Úsáideann thart ar 3,500 duine anseo TCB agus úsáideann 1,500 duine TCÉ. Is teangacha difriúla ar leithligh iad TCB agus TCÉ, m.sh. déantar an aibítir méarlitrithe do TCB leis an dá lámh, rud atá difriúil ón aibítir méarlitrithe do TCÉ a dhéantar le haon lámh amháin.

Cad atá sa Chairt Eorpach um Theangacha Réigiúnacha nó Mionlaigh?

Is coinbhinsiún idirnáisiúnta í an Chairt atá deartha chun teangacha réigiúnacha agus mionlaigh a chosaint agus a chur chun cinn. Ní bhunaíonn an Chairt aon chearta aonair nó comhchoiteanna do chainteoirí na dteangacha réigiúnacha nó mionlaigh. Is cuspóir cultúrtha é cuspóir sáraitheach na Cairte. Tá sí deartha chun teangacha réigiúnacha agus mionlaigh a chosaint agus a chur chun cinn mar ghné d'oidhreacht chultúrtha na hEorpa atá faoi bhagairt.

Shínigh Rialtas an RA an Chairt ar 2 Márta 2000 agus rinne sé í a dhaingniú ar 27 Márta 2001. Tháinig an Chairt i bhfeidhm ar 2 Iúil 2001.

Tá sí ceangailteach ar gach ceann de na stáit daingnithe. Dá bhrí sin tá impleachtaí aici do gach roinn rialtais agus comhlacht gaolmhar i dTuaisceart Éireann, do ranna Whitehall a oibríonn i dTuaisceart Éireann agus don Rialtas Áitiúil. I dTuaisceart Éireann baineann sí leis an nGaeilge agus le hAlbainis Uladh.

Ní chlúdaíonn sí teangacha comharthaíochta ná teangacha pobal eitneach mionlaigh.

Ní mór do Rialtas an RA tuairiscí tréimhsiúla a chur ar fáil do Choiste Saineolaithe Chomhairle na hEorpa a thugann tuairisc ar ghéilliúlacht gach stáit le hoibleagáidí na Cairte.

Cad a chiallaíonn an Chairt don Ghaeilge?

Ciallaíonn síniú na Cairte gur féidir le lucht na Gaeilge í a úsáid nuair a bhíonn siad ag scríobh chuig Ranna nó Gníomhaireachtaí Rialtais nó ag glaoch orthu. Ní gá do Ranna ná Gníomhaireachtaí Rialtais freagairt i nGaeilge, cé go bhféadfaidís a leithéid a dhéanamh. Ciallaíonn sé sin go bhféadann tú scríobh i nGaeilge ar fhoirmeacha iarratais, thuairisceáin chánach agus mar sin de. Ba cheart a choimeád i gcuimhne toisc gurb é Béarla teanga oibre Státseirbhís Thuaisceart Éireann go mbeidh uirthi an chuid is mó den ábhar a chuirfear isteach i nGaeilge a aistriú, agus mar sin d’fhéadfadh go dtógfadh sé beagáinín níos faide freagra a thabhairt.

Má theastaíonn ó lucht na Gaeilge labhairt as Gaeilge le hoifigeach Rialtais nach bhfuil Gaeilge ar a dtoil aige/aici ba cheart fógra a thabhairt ionas go bhféadfaí ateangaire a shocrú, más féidir.

Freisin aistreoidh agus foilseoidh an Rialtais doiciméid áirithe a gcuirfeadh lucht na Gaeilge spéis faoi leith iontu.

Cad a chiallaíonn an Chairt d’Albainis Uladh?

Cé nach gceanglaíonn an Chairt ar Ranna agus Gníomhaireachtaí Rialtais glacadh le litreacha ná glaonna teileafóin in Albainis Uladh, glacfaidh an chuid is mó acu leo. Ní gá do Ranna ná Gníomhaireachtaí Rialtais freagairt in Albainis Uladh, cé go bhféadfaidís a leithéid a dhéanamh. Ciallaíonn sé sin go bhféadann tú scríobh in Albainis Uladh ar fhoirmeacha iarratais, thuairisceáin chánach agus mar sin de. Ba cheart a choimeád i gcuimhne toisc gurb é Béarla teanga oibre Státseirbhís Thuaisceart Éireann go mbeidh uirthi an chuid is mó den ábhar a chuirfear isteach in Albainis Uladh a aistriú, agus mar sin d’fhéadfadh go dtógfadh sé beagáinín níos faide freagra a thabhairt.

De ghnáth (de bharr fadhbanna le haistritheoirí a eagrú) ní bheidh lucht labhartha Albainis Uladh in ann socrú a dhéanamh chun cruinniú a reáchtáil in Albainis Uladh.

Aistreoidh agus foilseoidh an Rialtais doiciméid áirithe a gcuirfeadh lucht labhartha Albainis Uladh spéis faoi leith iontu.

Cad atá á dhéanamh ag an RCEF chun cabhrú leis an nGaeilge?

I gcomhpháirt leis an Roinn Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta tugann RCEF cistiú d’Fhoras na Gaeilge (Gníomhaireacht na Gaeilge).

Tá Foras na Gaeilge freagrach as an nGaeilge a chur chun cinn.

Freisin cuireann an RCEF cistiú ar fáil do Colmcille: eagraíocht a bhfuil sí mar aidhm aici ‘tacaíocht a chothú don Ghaeilge agus naisc a fhorbairt idir ceantair Ghaeilge na hAlban agus Éire’.

Oibríonn an RCEF an tseirbhís aistriúcháin Ghaeilge atá faoi rialú cáilíochta do státseirbhís Thuaisceart Éireann. Leanaimid orainn ag obair chun na haistriúcháin Ghaeilge a úsáideann an earnáil phoiblí a chaighdeánú agus a fheabhsú.

Tá méadú sa líon clár teilifíse Gaeilge a chraoltar á chur chun cinn trí Chiste Craolacháin na Gaeilge.

Laistigh den Státseirbhís tá an RCEF i gceannas ar bhealaí a fhorbairt trína bhféadann cainteoirí Gaeilge an teanga dá rogha féin a úsáid agus iad ag plé le gníomhaireachtaí Rialtais. Ba cheart a choimeád i gcuimhne áfach, go bhfuil na Ranna freagrach as a ngníomhartha féin chuige sin.

Áiríodh leis an ngníomhaíocht sin treoir a chruthú d’fhostaithe sa tseirbhís phoiblí chun cabhrú leo a gcuid oibleagáidí a chomhlíonadh faoin gCairt Eorpach um Theangacha Réigiúnacha nó Mionlaigh maidir leis an nGaeilge agus le hAlbainis Uladh.

Cad atá á dhéanamh ag an RCEF chun cabhrú le hAlbainis Uladh?

I comhpháirt leis an Roinn Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta tugann an RCEF cistiú do Ghníomhaireacht na hUltaise (Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch).

Tá Gníomhaireacht na hUltaise (Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch) freagrach as feasacht níos mó ar Albainis Uladh agus úsáid níos leithne na teanga a chur chun cinn, mar aon le hábhair chultúrtha a bhaineann le hAlbainis Uladh, i dTuaisceart Éireann agus ar fud an oileáin.

Tá pleananna á fhorbairt ag an RCEF d’Acadamh Albainis Uladh, agus táimid ag súil go mbeidh sé i bhfeidhm go luath.

Freisin chuaigh an RCEF i gceannas ar threoir a chruthú d’fhostaithe sa tseirbhís phoiblí chun cabhrú leo a gcuid oibleagáidí a chomhlíonadh faoin gCairt Eorpach um Theangacha Réigiúnacha nó Mionlaigh maidir le hAlbainis Uladh.

Cad atá á dhéanamh ag an RCEF chun cabhrú leis an Teanga Chomharthaíochta?

Soláthraíonn Comhaontú Bhéal Feirste/Aoine an Chéasta an cuspóir uileghabhálach beartais dár gcuid oibre i leith éagsúlachta teanga.


Cé nár luadh go sonrach Teanga Chomharthaíochta na Breataine (TCB) ná Teanga Chomharthaíochta na hÉireann (TCÉ) i gComhaontú Bhéal Feirste/Aoine an Chéasta, chaith an Roinn leo mar theangacha aitheanta i gcónaí.

Ar 29 Márta 2004, d’fhógair Rúnaí Stáit Thuaisceart Éireann go n-aithneofaí go foirmiúil TCB agus TCÉ mar theangacha iontu féin. Trí Ghrúpa Comhpháirtíochta um Theanga Chomharthaíochta, tá Ranna Rialtais agus iad ag obair i gcomhpháirtíocht le hionadaithe ó phobal na mBodhar faoi cheannaireacht na RCEF, ag glacadh gnímh chun meas agus tuiscint ar TCB agus TCÉ a fheabhsú agus chun smaointe a fhorbairt maidir le rochtain ar sheirbhísí poiblí a fheabhsú. Áiríodh leis an obair go dtí seo taispeántas camchuairte a fhorbairt chun feasacht ar TCB agus TCÉ a mhéadú, treoir a fhorbairt do bhaill foirne tús líne i Ranna Rialtais agus Taighde chun roghanna agus deiseanna a aithint chun an soláthar ateangairí agus teagascóirí sa teanga chomharthaíochta a mhéadú.

Cad atá á dhéanamh ag an RCEF chun cabhrú le Teangacha Eitneacha Pobal Mionlaigh?

Mar chuid d’Fhóram Cine Thuaisceart Éireann tá an RCEF ag dul i gceannas ar ghrúpa a bheidh ag féachaint ar na riachtanais teanga agus chumarsáide atá ag pobail eitneacha mionlaigh maidir le rochtain a fháil ar sheirbhísí poiblí anseo. Beidh an grúpa ina chomhpháirtíocht idir grúpaí deonacha agus pobail a bhfuil suim acu ann, an earnáil phoiblí agus eagraíochtaí eile. Táthar ag súil trí chaighdeáin a fhorbairt agus dea-chleachtas a aithint go mbeidh an grúpa in ann moltaí a dhréachtú a laghdóidh na neamhionannais a fhulaingíonn lucht labhartha teangacha eitneacha mionlaigh anseo.

Conas a fheidhmíonn an Foras Teanga? Cad a dhéanann sé? Cá bhfuil sé lonnaithe?

Bunaíodh an Comhlacht i Nollaig 1999 chun feidhm a thabhairt do ghealltanas ó rialtas na Breataine agus rialtas na hÉireann i gComhaontú Bhéal Feirste/Aoine an Chéasta. Is é atá sa chomhlacht ná 24 ball boird; 16 ball a bhfuil spéis acu sa Ghaeilge agus 8 ball a bhfuil spéis acu in Albainis Uladh.

Oibríonn an dá ghrúpa seo mar dhá bhord go bunúsach, tá freagracht ag bord amháin as an ngné Ghaeilge, agus tá freagrach ag an mbord eile as an ngné Albainis Uladh de shainchuspóir an Chomhlachta Teanga.

Tá Cathaoirleach ag an dá ghrúpa, agus feidhmíonn an bheirt acu mar Chomh-chathaoirligh ar an bhForas Teanga. Tá dhá Gníomhaireacht forfheidhmithe ag an bhForas Teanga: Gníomhaireacht na hUltaise (Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch) agus Foras na Gaeilge (Gníomhaireacht na Gaeilge).

Cabhraíonn an Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh/Theas (CATT) leis na Ranna urraithe (RCEF agus RGPTG) agus leis an bhForas Teanga le socruithe a fhorbairt chun cabhrú leis na Gníomhaireachtaí lena gcuid feidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh de réir a sainchuspóir reachtaíochta. Déanann Chomh-Rúnaíocht an CATT comhordú ar chinntí na nAirí trí phróiseas Nósanna Imeachta Eatramhacha an CATT.

Leagann an tOrdú um Chomhoibriú Thuaidh/Theas (Comhlachtaí Forfheidhmithe) (Tuaisceart Éireann) 1999 amach feidhm an Fhorais Teanga:

"One Body, with two separate parts, with the following functions:

Irish Language:

a. promotion of the Irish language;

b. facilitating and encouraging its use in speech and writing in public and private life in the South and, in the context of Part III of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, in Northern Ireland where there is appropriate demand;

c. advising both administrations, public bodies and other groups in the private and voluntary sectors;

d. undertaking supportive projects, and grant-aiding bodies and groups as considered necessary;

e. undertaking research, promotional campaigns, and public and media relations;

f. developing terminology and dictionaries;

g. supporting Irish-medium education and the teaching of Irish.

Ulster Scots:

promotion of greater awareness and use of Ullans and of Ulster-Scots cultural issues, both within Northern Ireland and throughout the island."

Tá a cheannoifig ag Foras na Gaeilge i mBaile Átha Cliath agus tá oifig eile aige i mBéal Feirste. Tá Gníomhaireacht na hUltaise (Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch) lonnaithe i mBéal Feirste agus tá oifig aici i nDún na nGall.

Conas a chinntear an buiséad do na codanna Gaeilge agus Albainis Uladh den Fhoras Teanga? Cén fáth go bhfuil difríocht eatarthu?

Socraítear buiséad an dá ghníomhaireachta go neamhspleách de réir a riachtanas áirithe féin (mar atá leagtha amach ina gcuid pleananna gnó) agus ag tógáil san áireamh an cistiú atá ar fáil. Aontaíonn an RCEF agus an RGPTG ar an dá bhuiséad i dteannta a chéile, agus iad ag obair leis na ranna airgeadais faoi seach, agus i ndlúthchomhairle leis an dá ghníomhaireacht dar ndóigh. Ní shocraítear iad i gcoibhneas lena chéile. Ritheann an dá ghníomhaireacht de réir na bliana féilire.

Soláthraíonn an RCEF cistiú do 75% de bhuiséad Ghníomhaireacht na hUltaise (Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch) agus soláthraíonn an RGPTG cistiú do 25% de. Soláthraíonn an RGPTG cistiú do 75% de bhuiséad Fhoras na Gaeilge agus soláthraíonn an RCEF cistiú do 25% de. Aontaíodh ar na céatadáin sin nuair a bunaíodh na comhlachtaí agus coimeádadh iad ó shin.

Ba cheart a choimeád i gcuimhne go dtugann an RGPTG cistiú in euro agus go dtugann an RCEF cistiú i steirling.

Tá difríocht idir an dá bhuiséad ar chúiseanna éagsúla, lena n-áirítear:

1. An líon custaiméirí

2. Leibhéal forbartha agus staid dhifriúil an dá theanga agus acmhainn na bpobal.

3. Tosaíodh Gníomhaireacht na hUltaise (Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch) as an nua, agus bunaíodh Foras na Gaeilge (Gníomhaireacht na Gaeilge) ó eagraíochtaí reatha a raibh tiomantais airgeadais agus baill foirne oilte acu cheana féin.

Cad é buiséad Fhorais Teanga?

Oibríonn an Foras Teanga de réir na bliana féilire.

Toisc go bhfaigheann an dá ghníomhaireacht san Fhoras a ndeontas in dhá airgeadra, bíonn tionchar ag luaineacht airgeadra ar na méideanna deireanacha.

Is é príomhairgeadra Ghníomhaireacht na hUltaise (Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch) ná steirling, agus is é príomhairgeadra Fhoras na Gaeilge ná an euro (puint Éireannacha a bhí ann roimhe seo) agus mar sin tá na figiúirí tugtha againn sna hairgeadraí sin:

Gníomhaireacht na hUltaise (ar leith)
bliain GBP (milliúin)

2002 1.42
2003 1.54
2004 1.704
2005 1.809

2006 2.132


Foras na Gaeilge (ar leith)
bliain Euro (milliúin)

2002 17.87 EURO
2003 17.87 EURO
2004 18.694 EURO
2005 19.356

2006 19.862

Soláthraíonn an RCEF cistiú do 75% de bhuiséad Ghníomhaireacht na hUltaise agus soláthraíonn an RGPTG cistiú do 25% de. Soláthraíonn an RGPTG cistiú do 75% de bhuiséad Fhoras na Gaeilge agus soláthraíonn an RCEF cistiú do 25% de. Aontaíodh ar na céatadáin sin nuair a bunaíodh na comhlachtaí agus coimeádadh iad ó shin.

Cé a labhraíonn Gaeilge?

Fuair Daonáireamh 2001 go bhfuil ‘roinnt eolais ar an nGaeilge’ ag 167,490 duine, agus as na daoine sin tá 75,125 acu ‘a labhraíonn, a scríobhann agus a thuigeann Gaeilge’.

Tugann an Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey agus an Daonáireamh le fios gurb iad Caitlicigh Rómhánacha, náisiúnacha, óga a labhraíonn Gaeilge den chuid is mó. Níl aon difríochtaí móra ann maidir le hinscne, stádas pósta ná cleithiúnaithe, agus níl aon sonraí againn maidir le claonadh gnéasach. Tá seans níos mó go labhródh Lucht Siúil na hÉireann Gaeilge, chomh maith le daoine singile agus daoine nach bhfuil míchumas orthu.

Cé a labhraíonn Albainis Uladh i dTuaisceart Éireann?

Fuair an Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey (1999) go labhraíonn 2% den daonra Albainis Uladh: is ionann é sin agus thart ar 35,000 duine. Measann an Ulster-Scots Language Society go bhfuil thart ar 100,000 cainteoir ann. Ina theannta sin tá cainteoirí Albainis Uladh in oirthear Dhún na nGall. Ar ndóigh tá suas le dhá mhilliún cainteoir Albainis Uladh in Albain freisin.

Fuair an Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey (a bhí bunaithe ar líon beag cainteoirí Albainis Uladh - 43) go bhfuil seans beagáinín níos mó go mbeadh cainteoirí Albainis Uladh ina bProtastúnaigh nó ina bhfir. Fuair sé freisin gur bhreathnaigh beagán níos lú ná leath de chainteoirí Albainis Uladh orthu féin mar ‘aontachtaithe’, agus go raibh an chuid eile acu deighilte go comhionann idir ‘náisiúnaigh’ agus ‘gan bheith ina n-aontachtaithe ná ina náisiúnaigh’ Níl aon difríochtaí móra ann maidir le hinscne, stádas pósta ná cleithiúnaithe, agus níl aon sonraí againn maidir le claonadh gnéasach.

Táim rannpháirteach i gclár teanga Gaeilge nó Albainis Uladh agus ba mhaith liom deontas a fháil, cad ba cheart dom a dhéanamh?

Ní thugann an RCEF cúnamh deontais go díreach d’eagraíochtaí, ach oibrímid trínár nGníomhaireachtaí ina n-ionad.

Soláthraíonn Foras na Gaeilge cistiú do ghrúpaí agus eagraíochtaí Gaeilge.
Le fáil amach an gcomhlíonann tú na critéir ábhartha don deontas ba cheart duit dul i dteagmháil lena phríomhoifig i mBaile Átha Cliath:

Foras na Gaeilge
7 Cearnóg Mhuirfean
Baile Átha Cliath 2

Teileafón: 1850 325325 (Éire) / 0845 3098142(TÉ)
Ríomhphost: eolas@forasnagaeilge.ie

Láithreán Gréasáin: www.gaeilge.ie

Nó lena oifig i mBéal Feirste:
Foras na Gaeilge
Westgate House
2-4 Sráid na Banríona
Béal Feirste

BT1 6ED
Teileafón:028 9089 0970
Ríomhphost: eolas@forasnagaeilge.ie

Láithreán Gréasáin: www.gaeilge.ie


Soláthraíonn Gníomhaireacht na hUltaise cistiú do ghrúpaí agus eagraíochtaí Albainis Uladh. Le fáil amach an gcomhlíonann tú na critéir ábhartha don deontas ba cheart duit dul i dteagmháil lena príomhoifig i mBéal Feirste:

Gníomhaireacht na hUltaise
Franklin House
5ú Urlár
10-12 Sráid Brunswick
Béal Feirste
BT2 7GE
Telephone:028 9023 1113 (TÉ) / 00353 749173876 (Éire)
Ríomhphost info@ulsterscotsagency.org.uk

Láithreán Gréasáin: www.ulsterscotsagency.com


Ar ndóigh tá go leor eagraíochtaí ann a thugann deontais, agus san am atá thart fuair go leor grúpaí Gaeilge agus Albainis Uladh deontais ó fhoinsí eile toisc gur chomhlíon a gcuid gníomhaíochtaí na critéir don deontas.

Tá spéis agam i dteanga a fhoghlaim, cad ba cheart dom a dhéanamh?

Má theastaíonn uait Gaeilge a fhoghlaim tá faisnéis úsáideach ar láithreán gréasáin Fhoras na Gaeilge.

Má theastaíonn uait Albainis Uladh a fhoghlaim tá faisnéis úsáideach ar láithreán gréasáin Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch


Is teangacha Gearmánacha iad Béarla, Ollainnis agus Gearmáinis freisin agus mar sin tá go léir de na tréithe céanna ag Albainis Uladh agus atá acu.

Úsáidtí Albainis i gcúirt na hAlban uair amháin agus tugadh go hÉireann í in aimsir na bPlandálacha.

Sainítear Albainis Uladh sa reachtaíocht mar:
‘an chineál Albainise, a úsáidtí go traidisiúnta i gcodanna de Thuaisceart Éireann agus i nDún na nGall’. (An tOrdú um Chomhlachtaí Forfheidhmithe Comhoibrithe Thuaidh/Theas) (Tuaisceart Éireann) 1999)

Cad atá sa Teanga Chomharthaíochta?

Is í Teanga Chomharthaíochta an bealach roghnaithe le cumarsáid a dhéanamh do 5,000 as na 17,000 duine i dTuaisceart Éireann atá faoi mhórbhodhaire nó faoi ollbhodhaire agus úsáideann roinnt mhaith dá dteaghlaigh agus dá gcairde í chomh maith. Teanga inti féin atá sa Teanga Chomharthaíochta. Tá gramadach agus comhréir faoi leith ag baint leis, atá difriúil ó rialacha gramadaí an Bhéarla. Úsáideann sí idir gnéithe láimhe agus gnéithe neamhláimhe: cruthanna agus luailí láimhe, gothaí aghaidhe, agus comharthaíocht choirp.

I dTuaisceart Éireann tá dhá theanga chomharthaíochta ann, Teanga Chomharthaíochta na Breataine (TCB) agus Teanga Chomharthaíochta na hÉireann (TCÉ). Úsáideann thart ar 3,500 duine anseo TCB agus úsáideann 1,500 duine TCÉ. Is teangacha difriúla ar leithligh iad TCB agus TCÉ, m.sh. déantar an aibítir méarlitrithe do TCB leis an dá lámh, rud atá difriúil ón aibítir méarlitrithe do TCÉ a dhéantar le haon lámh amháin.

Cad atá sa Chairt Eorpach um Theangacha Réigiúnacha nó Mionlaigh?

Is coinbhinsiún idirnáisiúnta í an Chairt atá deartha chun teangacha réigiúnacha agus mionlaigh a chosaint agus a chur chun cinn. Ní bhunaíonn an Chairt aon chearta aonair nó comhchoiteanna do chainteoirí na dteangacha réigiúnacha nó mionlaigh. Is cuspóir cultúrtha é cuspóir sáraitheach na Cairte. Tá sí deartha chun teangacha réigiúnacha agus mionlaigh a chosaint agus a chur chun cinn mar ghné d'oidhreacht chultúrtha na hEorpa atá faoi bhagairt.

Shínigh Rialtas an RA an Chairt ar 2 Márta 2000 agus rinne sé í a dhaingniú ar 27 Márta 2001. Tháinig an Chairt i bhfeidhm ar 2 Iúil 2001.

Tá sí ceangailteach ar gach ceann de na stáit daingnithe. Dá bhrí sin tá impleachtaí aici do gach roinn rialtais agus comhlacht gaolmhar i dTuaisceart Éireann, do ranna Whitehall a oibríonn i dTuaisceart Éireann agus don Rialtas Áitiúil. I dTuaisceart Éireann baineann sí leis an nGaeilge agus le hAlbainis Uladh.

Ní chlúdaíonn sí teangacha comharthaíochta ná teangacha pobal eitneach mionlaigh.

Ní mór do Rialtas an RA tuairiscí tréimhsiúla a chur ar fáil do Choiste Saineolaithe Chomhairle na hEorpa a thugann tuairisc ar ghéilliúlacht gach stáit le hoibleagáidí na Cairte.

Cad a chiallaíonn an Chairt don Ghaeilge?

Ciallaíonn síniú na Cairte gur féidir le lucht na Gaeilge í a úsáid nuair a bhíonn siad ag scríobh chuig Ranna nó Gníomhaireachtaí Rialtais nó ag glaoch orthu. Ní gá do Ranna ná Gníomhaireachtaí Rialtais freagairt i nGaeilge, cé go bhféadfaidís a leithéid a dhéanamh. Ciallaíonn sé sin go bhféadann tú scríobh i nGaeilge ar fhoirmeacha iarratais, thuairisceáin chánach agus mar sin de. Ba cheart a choimeád i gcuimhne toisc gurb é Béarla teanga oibre Státseirbhís Thuaisceart Éireann go mbeidh uirthi an chuid is mó den ábhar a chuirfear isteach i nGaeilge a aistriú, agus mar sin d’fhéadfadh go dtógfadh sé beagáinín níos faide freagra a thabhairt.

Má theastaíonn ó lucht na Gaeilge labhairt as Gaeilge le hoifigeach Rialtais nach bhfuil Gaeilge ar a dtoil aige/aici ba cheart fógra a thabhairt ionas go bhféadfaí ateangaire a shocrú, más féidir.

Freisin aistreoidh agus foilseoidh an Rialtais doiciméid áirithe a gcuirfeadh lucht na Gaeilge spéis faoi leith iontu.

Cad a chiallaíonn an Chairt d’Albainis Uladh?

Cé nach gceanglaíonn an Chairt ar Ranna agus Gníomhaireachtaí Rialtais glacadh le litreacha ná glaonna teileafóin in Albainis Uladh, glacfaidh an chuid is mó acu leo. Ní gá do Ranna ná Gníomhaireachtaí Rialtais freagairt in Albainis Uladh, cé go bhféadfaidís a leithéid a dhéanamh. Ciallaíonn sé sin go bhféadann tú scríobh in Albainis Uladh ar fhoirmeacha iarratais, thuairisceáin chánach agus mar sin de. Ba cheart a choimeád i gcuimhne toisc gurb é Béarla teanga oibre Státseirbhís Thuaisceart Éireann go mbeidh uirthi an chuid is mó den ábhar a chuirfear isteach in Albainis Uladh a aistriú, agus mar sin d’fhéadfadh go dtógfadh sé beagáinín níos faide freagra a thabhairt.

De ghnáth (de bharr fadhbanna le haistritheoirí a eagrú) ní bheidh lucht labhartha Albainis Uladh in ann socrú a dhéanamh chun cruinniú a reáchtáil in Albainis Uladh.

Aistreoidh agus foilseoidh an Rialtais doiciméid áirithe a gcuirfeadh lucht labhartha Albainis Uladh spéis faoi leith iontu.

Cad atá á dhéanamh ag an RCEF chun cabhrú leis an nGaeilge?

I gcomhpháirt leis an Roinn Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta tugann RCEF cistiú d’Fhoras na Gaeilge (Gníomhaireacht na Gaeilge).

Tá Foras na Gaeilge freagrach as an nGaeilge a chur chun cinn.

Freisin cuireann an RCEF cistiú ar fáil do Colmcille: eagraíocht a bhfuil sí mar aidhm aici ‘tacaíocht a chothú don Ghaeilge agus naisc a fhorbairt idir ceantair Ghaeilge na hAlban agus Éire’.

Oibríonn an RCEF an tseirbhís aistriúcháin Ghaeilge atá faoi rialú cáilíochta do státseirbhís Thuaisceart Éireann. Leanaimid orainn ag obair chun na haistriúcháin Ghaeilge a úsáideann an earnáil phoiblí a chaighdeánú agus a fheabhsú.

Tá méadú sa líon clár teilifíse Gaeilge a chraoltar á chur chun cinn trí Chiste Craolacháin na Gaeilge.

Laistigh den Státseirbhís tá an RCEF i gceannas ar bhealaí a fhorbairt trína bhféadann cainteoirí Gaeilge an teanga dá rogha féin a úsáid agus iad ag plé le gníomhaireachtaí Rialtais. Ba cheart a choimeád i gcuimhne áfach, go bhfuil na Ranna freagrach as a ngníomhartha féin chuige sin.

Áiríodh leis an ngníomhaíocht sin treoir a chruthú d’fhostaithe sa tseirbhís phoiblí chun cabhrú leo a gcuid oibleagáidí a chomhlíonadh faoin gCairt Eorpach um Theangacha Réigiúnacha nó Mionlaigh maidir leis an nGaeilge agus le hAlbainis Uladh.

Cad atá á dhéanamh ag an RCEF chun cabhrú le hAlbainis Uladh?

I comhpháirt leis an Roinn Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta tugann an RCEF cistiú do Ghníomhaireacht na hUltaise (Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch).

Tá Gníomhaireacht na hUltaise (Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch) freagrach as feasacht níos mó ar Albainis Uladh agus úsáid níos leithne na teanga a chur chun cinn, mar aon le hábhair chultúrtha a bhaineann le hAlbainis Uladh, i dTuaisceart Éireann agus ar fud an oileáin.

Tá pleananna á fhorbairt ag an RCEF d’Acadamh Albainis Uladh, agus táimid ag súil go mbeidh sé i bhfeidhm go luath.

Freisin chuaigh an RCEF i gceannas ar threoir a chruthú d’fhostaithe sa tseirbhís phoiblí chun cabhrú leo a gcuid oibleagáidí a chomhlíonadh faoin gCairt Eorpach um Theangacha Réigiúnacha nó Mionlaigh maidir le hAlbainis Uladh.

Cad atá á dhéanamh ag an RCEF chun cabhrú leis an Teanga Chomharthaíochta?

Soláthraíonn Comhaontú Bhéal Feirste/Aoine an Chéasta an cuspóir uileghabhálach beartais dár gcuid oibre i leith éagsúlachta teanga.


Cé nár luadh go sonrach Teanga Chomharthaíochta na Breataine (TCB) ná Teanga Chomharthaíochta na hÉireann (TCÉ) i gComhaontú Bhéal Feirste/Aoine an Chéasta, chaith an Roinn leo mar theangacha aitheanta i gcónaí.

Ar 29 Márta 2004, d’fhógair Rúnaí Stáit Thuaisceart Éireann go n-aithneofaí go foirmiúil TCB agus TCÉ mar theangacha iontu féin. Trí Ghrúpa Comhpháirtíochta um Theanga Chomharthaíochta, tá Ranna Rialtais agus iad ag obair i gcomhpháirtíocht le hionadaithe ó phobal na mBodhar faoi cheannaireacht na RCEF, ag glacadh gnímh chun meas agus tuiscint ar TCB agus TCÉ a fheabhsú agus chun smaointe a fhorbairt maidir le rochtain ar sheirbhísí poiblí a fheabhsú. Áiríodh leis an obair go dtí seo taispeántas camchuairte a fhorbairt chun feasacht ar TCB agus TCÉ a mhéadú, treoir a fhorbairt do bhaill foirne tús líne i Ranna Rialtais agus Taighde chun roghanna agus deiseanna a aithint chun an soláthar ateangairí agus teagascóirí sa teanga chomharthaíochta a mhéadú.

Cad atá á dhéanamh ag an RCEF chun cabhrú le Teangacha Eitneacha Pobal Mionlaigh?

Mar chuid d’Fhóram Cine Thuaisceart Éireann tá an RCEF ag dul i gceannas ar ghrúpa a bheidh ag féachaint ar na riachtanais teanga agus chumarsáide atá ag pobail eitneacha mionlaigh maidir le rochtain a fháil ar sheirbhísí poiblí anseo. Beidh an grúpa ina chomhpháirtíocht idir grúpaí deonacha agus pobail a bhfuil suim acu ann, an earnáil phoiblí agus eagraíochtaí eile. Táthar ag súil trí chaighdeáin a fhorbairt agus dea-chleachtas a aithint go mbeidh an grúpa in ann moltaí a dhréachtú a laghdóidh na neamhionannais a fhulaingíonn lucht labhartha teangacha eitneacha mionlaigh anseo.

Conas a fheidhmíonn an Foras Teanga? Cad a dhéanann sé? Cá bhfuil sé lonnaithe?

Bunaíodh an Comhlacht i Nollaig 1999 chun feidhm a thabhairt do ghealltanas ó rialtas na Breataine agus rialtas na hÉireann i gComhaontú Bhéal Feirste/Aoine an Chéasta. Is é atá sa chomhlacht ná 24 ball boird; 16 ball a bhfuil spéis acu sa Ghaeilge agus 8 ball a bhfuil spéis acu in Albainis Uladh.

Oibríonn an dá ghrúpa seo mar dhá bhord go bunúsach, tá freagracht ag bord amháin as an ngné Ghaeilge, agus tá freagrach ag an mbord eile as an ngné Albainis Uladh de shainchuspóir an Chomhlachta Teanga.

Tá Cathaoirleach ag an dá ghrúpa, agus feidhmíonn an bheirt acu mar Chomh-chathaoirligh ar an bhForas Teanga. Tá dhá Gníomhaireacht forfheidhmithe ag an bhForas Teanga: Gníomhaireacht na hUltaise (Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch) agus Foras na Gaeilge (Gníomhaireacht na Gaeilge).

Cabhraíonn an Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh/Theas (CATT) leis na Ranna urraithe (RCEF agus RGPTG) agus leis an bhForas Teanga le socruithe a fhorbairt chun cabhrú leis na Gníomhaireachtaí lena gcuid feidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh de réir a sainchuspóir reachtaíochta. Déanann Chomh-Rúnaíocht an CATT comhordú ar chinntí na nAirí trí phróiseas Nósanna Imeachta Eatramhacha an CATT.

Leagann an tOrdú um Chomhoibriú Thuaidh/Theas (Comhlachtaí Forfheidhmithe) (Tuaisceart Éireann) 1999 amach feidhm an Fhorais Teanga:

"One Body, with two separate parts, with the following functions:

Irish Language:

a. promotion of the Irish language;

b. facilitating and encouraging its use in speech and writing in public and private life in the South and, in the context of Part III of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, in Northern Ireland where there is appropriate demand;

c. advising both administrations, public bodies and other groups in the private and voluntary sectors;

d. undertaking supportive projects, and grant-aiding bodies and groups as considered necessary;

e. undertaking research, promotional campaigns, and public and media relations;

f. developing terminology and dictionaries;

g. supporting Irish-medium education and the teaching of Irish.

Ulster Scots:

promotion of greater awareness and use of Ullans and of Ulster-Scots cultural issues, both within Northern Ireland and throughout the island."

Tá a cheannoifig ag Foras na Gaeilge i mBaile Átha Cliath agus tá oifig eile aige i mBéal Feirste. Tá Gníomhaireacht na hUltaise (Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch) lonnaithe i mBéal Feirste agus tá oifig aici i nDún na nGall.

Conas a chinntear an buiséad do na codanna Gaeilge agus Albainis Uladh den Fhoras Teanga? Cén fáth go bhfuil difríocht eatarthu?

Socraítear buiséad an dá ghníomhaireachta go neamhspleách de réir a riachtanas áirithe féin (mar atá leagtha amach ina gcuid pleananna gnó) agus ag tógáil san áireamh an cistiú atá ar fáil. Aontaíonn an RCEF agus an RGPTG ar an dá bhuiséad i dteannta a chéile, agus iad ag obair leis na ranna airgeadais faoi seach, agus i ndlúthchomhairle leis an dá ghníomhaireacht dar ndóigh. Ní shocraítear iad i gcoibhneas lena chéile. Ritheann an dá ghníomhaireacht de réir na bliana féilire.

Soláthraíonn an RCEF cistiú do 75% de bhuiséad Ghníomhaireacht na hUltaise (Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch) agus soláthraíonn an RGPTG cistiú do 25% de. Soláthraíonn an RGPTG cistiú do 75% de bhuiséad Fhoras na Gaeilge agus soláthraíonn an RCEF cistiú do 25% de. Aontaíodh ar na céatadáin sin nuair a bunaíodh na comhlachtaí agus coimeádadh iad ó shin.

Ba cheart a choimeád i gcuimhne go dtugann an RGPTG cistiú in euro agus go dtugann an RCEF cistiú i steirling.

Tá difríocht idir an dá bhuiséad ar chúiseanna éagsúla, lena n-áirítear:

1. An líon custaiméirí

2. Leibhéal forbartha agus staid dhifriúil an dá theanga agus acmhainn na bpobal.

3. Tosaíodh Gníomhaireacht na hUltaise (Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch) as an nua, agus bunaíodh Foras na Gaeilge (Gníomhaireacht na Gaeilge) ó eagraíochtaí reatha a raibh tiomantais airgeadais agus baill foirne oilte acu cheana féin.

Cad é buiséad Fhorais Teanga?

Oibríonn an Foras Teanga de réir na bliana féilire.

Toisc go bhfaigheann an dá ghníomhaireacht san Fhoras a ndeontas in dhá airgeadra, bíonn tionchar ag luaineacht airgeadra ar na méideanna deireanacha.

Is é príomhairgeadra Ghníomhaireacht na hUltaise (Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch) ná steirling, agus is é príomhairgeadra Fhoras na Gaeilge ná an euro (puint Éireannacha a bhí ann roimhe seo) agus mar sin tá na figiúirí tugtha againn sna hairgeadraí sin:

Gníomhaireacht na hUltaise (ar leith)
bliain GBP (milliúin)

2002 1.42
2003 1.54
2004 1.704
2005 1.809

2006 2.132


Foras na Gaeilge (ar leith)
bliain Euro (milliúin)

2002 17.87 EURO
2003 17.87 EURO
2004 18.694 EURO
2005 19.356

2006 19.862

Soláthraíonn an RCEF cistiú do 75% de bhuiséad Ghníomhaireacht na hUltaise agus soláthraíonn an RGPTG cistiú do 25% de. Soláthraíonn an RGPTG cistiú do 75% de bhuiséad Fhoras na Gaeilge agus soláthraíonn an RCEF cistiú do 25% de. Aontaíodh ar na céatadáin sin nuair a bunaíodh na comhlachtaí agus coimeádadh iad ó shin.

Cé a labhraíonn Gaeilge?

Fuair Daonáireamh 2001 go bhfuil ‘roinnt eolais ar an nGaeilge’ ag 167,490 duine, agus as na daoine sin tá 75,125 acu ‘a labhraíonn, a scríobhann agus a thuigeann Gaeilge’.

Tugann an Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey agus an Daonáireamh le fios gurb iad Caitlicigh Rómhánacha, náisiúnacha, óga a labhraíonn Gaeilge den chuid is mó. Níl aon difríochtaí móra ann maidir le hinscne, stádas pósta ná cleithiúnaithe, agus níl aon sonraí againn maidir le claonadh gnéasach. Tá seans níos mó go labhródh Lucht Siúil na hÉireann Gaeilge, chomh maith le daoine singile agus daoine nach bhfuil míchumas orthu.

Cé a labhraíonn Albainis Uladh i dTuaisceart Éireann?

Fuair an Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey (1999) go labhraíonn 2% den daonra Albainis Uladh: is ionann é sin agus thart ar 35,000 duine. Measann an Ulster-Scots Language Society go bhfuil thart ar 100,000 cainteoir ann. Ina theannta sin tá cainteoirí Albainis Uladh in oirthear Dhún na nGall. Ar ndóigh tá suas le dhá mhilliún cainteoir Albainis Uladh in Albain freisin.

Fuair an Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey (a bhí bunaithe ar líon beag cainteoirí Albainis Uladh - 43) go bhfuil seans beagáinín níos mó go mbeadh cainteoirí Albainis Uladh ina bProtastúnaigh nó ina bhfir. Fuair sé freisin gur bhreathnaigh beagán níos lú ná leath de chainteoirí Albainis Uladh orthu féin mar ‘aontachtaithe’, agus go raibh an chuid eile acu deighilte go comhionann idir ‘náisiúnaigh’ agus ‘gan bheith ina n-aontachtaithe ná ina náisiúnaigh’ Níl aon difríochtaí móra ann maidir le hinscne, stádas pósta ná cleithiúnaithe, agus níl aon sonraí againn maidir le claonadh gnéasach.

Táim rannpháirteach i gclár teanga Gaeilge nó Albainis Uladh agus ba mhaith liom deontas a fháil, cad ba cheart dom a dhéanamh?

Ní thugann an RCEF cúnamh deontais go díreach d’eagraíochtaí, ach oibrímid trínár nGníomhaireachtaí ina n-ionad.

Soláthraíonn Foras na Gaeilge cistiú do ghrúpaí agus eagraíochtaí Gaeilge.
Le fáil amach an gcomhlíonann tú na critéir ábhartha don deontas ba cheart duit dul i dteagmháil lena phríomhoifig i mBaile Átha Cliath:

Foras na Gaeilge
7 Cearnóg Mhuirfean
Baile Átha Cliath 2

Teileafón: 1850 325325 (Éire) / 0845 3098142(TÉ)
Ríomhphost: eolas@forasnagaeilge.ie

Láithreán Gréasáin: www.gaeilge.ie

Nó lena oifig i mBéal Feirste:
Foras na Gaeilge
Westgate House
2-4 Sráid na Banríona
Béal Feirste

BT1 6ED
Teileafón:028 9089 0970
Ríomhphost: eolas@forasnagaeilge.ie

Láithreán Gréasáin: www.gaeilge.ie


Soláthraíonn Gníomhaireacht na hUltaise cistiú do ghrúpaí agus eagraíochtaí Albainis Uladh. Le fáil amach an gcomhlíonann tú na critéir ábhartha don deontas ba cheart duit dul i dteagmháil lena príomhoifig i mBéal Feirste:

Gníomhaireacht na hUltaise
Franklin House
5ú Urlár
10-12 Sráid Brunswick
Béal Feirste
BT2 7GE
Telephone:028 9023 1113 (TÉ) / 00353 749173876 (Éire)
Ríomhphost info@ulsterscotsagency.org.uk

Láithreán Gréasáin: www.ulsterscotsagency.com


Ar ndóigh tá go leor eagraíochtaí ann a thugann deontais, agus san am atá thart fuair go leor grúpaí Gaeilge agus Albainis Uladh deontais ó fhoinsí eile toisc gur chomhlíon a gcuid gníomhaíochtaí na critéir don deontas.

Tá spéis agam i dteanga a fhoghlaim, cad ba cheart dom a dhéanamh?

Má theastaíonn uait Gaeilge a fhoghlaim tá faisnéis úsáideach ar láithreán gréasáin Fhoras na Gaeilge.

Má theastaíonn uait Albainis Uladh a fhoghlaim tá faisnéis úsáideach ar láithreán gréasáin Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch

Úsáidim Gaeilge nó Albainis Uladh i mo shaol gach lá: an féidir liom glaoch a chur ar an Rialtas nó scríobh chuige sa teanga is fearr liom?

Is féidir leat. Is féidir leat scríobh chuig aon roinn nó ghníomhaireacht Rialtais i nGaeilge nó in Albainis Uladh. D’fhéadfadh go scríobhfadh roinnt comhlachtaí ar ais chugat i do theanga roghnaithe.

Is féidir leat glaoch a chur ar an Rialtas i nGaeilge nó in Albainis Uladh: tá glórphoist curtha ar bun chun é sin a cheadú freisin:

Gaeilge: 028 90515251
Albainis Uladh: 028 90515252

Déan cinnte le do thoil go sonraíonn tú cé dó/di an teachtaireacht agus tabhair do sheoladh ionas gur féidir freagra a sheoladh chugat i ndiaidh dod’ theachtaireacht a bheith aistrithe.

Affen Axed Speirins

Ye shud click oan a speirin ablow tae gae tae thon speirin an the ansuer tae hit:

  • Quhat leids ir uised i Norlin Airlan?
  • Quhat bes the Airish leid?
  • Quhat bes the Ulster Scots leid?
  • Quhat bes Sign Leid?
  • Quhat bes the European Chairter fer Locail ir Minoritie leids?
  • Quhat daes the Chairter mean fer Airish?
  • Quhat daes the Chairter mean fer Ulster Scots?
  • Quhat DCAL bes daein tae heft the Airish leid
  • Quhat DCAL bes daein tae heft Ulster Scots
  • Quhat DCAL bes daein tae heft Ethnic Community Minoritie leids
  • Hoo daes the Noarth/Sooth Leid Boadie waark? Quhat daes hit dae? Quhar hit bes aa
  • Hoo daes the budget fer the Airish an’ Ulster Scots pairts o’ the Noarth/Sooth Leid Boadie bae wrocht oot.  Fer wie ir thae budgets differ?
  • Quhat bes the budget o’ the Noarth/Sooth Leid Boadie?
  • Wha spakes Airish?
  • Wha spakes Ulster Scots i Norlin Airlan?
  • A’hm pairt o’ o’ an Airish ir Ulster Scots leid programme an’ A’hm intherested i gettin’ a grant, quhat shud A dae?
  • A’hm intherested i lairnin a leid, quhat shud A dae?
  • A uise Airish ir Ulster Scots i mae ivryday lif’: can A tellyphone ir sen’ a screed tae the government i the leid A’hd raither uise?

Quhat leids ir uised i Norlin Airlan

Inglis bes the maist widely uised leid i Norlin Airlan

Ablow ir estimates o’ the nummer o’ fowk wha spake leids ither nor Inglis i Norlin Airlan:

Airish 106,844

Ulster Scots 35,000

Chinese 4,200

British Sign Leid 3,000

Airish Sign Leid 1,500

Cant/ Shelta/Gammon 1,700

Arabic 1000 – 1500

Portugese mair nor 1000

Tagalog 600

Bengali 450 – 500

Hindi ir Punjabi 1,700

Soothern Indian Leids 500

Farsi 350

Thair hes bein baag graith i the nummers o’ migrant waarkers comin’ intae Norlin Airlan maistly fae the new EU accession kintras, bit nummers oan hoo monie fowk  uisin leids fae thae airts irnae yet tae han’.

The nummers abeen ir fae a wheen o’ differ sources: 2001 Census, 19&99 Norlin Airlan Lif’ an’ Tims Survey, ‘In other words’ report bae Daniel Holder, Kirk/O’Baoil, British Deaf Association.

Quhat bes the Airish leid?

Airish bes yin o’ the auldest leids i the worl’.

Hit bes pairt o’ the Celtic brench o’ the Indo-European leids, ither sib leids ir Scotch Gaelic, Manx, Welsh, Breton an’ Cornish.

The Airish Leid movement i Norlin Airlan bes maistly revivalist.  Norlin Airlan’s las’ native spakers o’ Airish dee’d i the 19&70s bit, bae then, Airish spakin femmelies hed appeared i differ airts o’ Norlin Airlan, amang thaim a wee wheen i Bilfawst,  I thae femmelies Airish bes bein’ passed oan atween generations.

Airish uisers ir spread athwort Norlin Airlan wi’ the feck o’ thaim i the bagger Bilfawst airt.  Aboot 4,000 weans ir taught the noo through Airish, an Airish bes the thurd maist popular taught leid aa GCSE i Norlin Airlan schuils.

Quhat bes the Ulster Scots leid?

Ulster Scots bes a Germanic leid an bes the locail variety o’ the Scots leid.  Hits maistly uised i kintra airts o’ nor-aist Coontie Down, Anthrim, aist Londonderry an i aist Dinnygal i the Republic o’ Airlan.

Inglis, Dutch an’ German ir ither Germanic leids sae Ulster Scots shaires monie features wi’ thaim.

Langsine the Scots Leid wus uised aa the Scotch coort an’ wus brocht tae Airlan aa the tim’ o’ the Plantins.

I laa Ulster Scots bes defined es;

‘the variety o’ the Scots leid at hes lang tim’ bein uised i airts o’ Norlin Airlan an’ Dinnygal’.  (The Noarth/Sooth co-operation (Implementin’ Boadies)(Norlin Airlan) Ordair 19&99)

Quhat bes Sign Leid?

Sign Leid bes the preferred wie o’ communicatin’ o’ 5,000 o’ the 17,000 fowk i Norlin Airlan wha ir pairtly ir fu’ deef , forebye hits uised bae a clatter o’ thair femmelies an’ freens.  Sign Leid bes a leid i hits ain richt.  Hit hes hits ain grammer an’ syntax, gyely differ fae the laas o’ Inglis grammer.  Hit uises baith manual an no-manual pairts: han’shapes an’ movements, facial expression an boadie leid

Thaire ir twa sign leids i Norlin Airlan, British Sign Leid(BSL) an’ Airish Sign Leid(ASL).  Neir 3,500 fowk i Norlin Airlan uise BSL an’ 1,500 uise ASL.  BSL an’ ASL ir gyely differ leids,  fer example the finger spellin’ alphabet uised wi’ BSL bes twa handit, differ fae the yin handit finger spellin’ alphabet uised wi’ ASL.

Quhat bes the Europena Chairter fer Locail ir Minoritie Leids?

The Chairter bes an international convention airted aa bieldin an’ heftin locial an’ minoritie leids.  The Chairter dusnae establish onie individual ir collective richts fer thaim at uise regional ir minoritie leids.  The Chairter’s owreridin purpone bes adae wi’ heirskeip.  Hit bes airted aa bieldin an’ heftin locail ir minoritie leids es pairt o’ Europe’s heirskeip at bae unner threat.

The UK Government signed the Chairter oan Mairch 2nd 2000 an’ ‘greed hit oan Mairch 27th 2001.  The Chairter cum intae force oan Julai 2nd 2001.

Hit bes bindin’ oan ivry yin o’ the kintras at ‘greed hit.  Accause o’ thon hit hes implications fer ivry Norlin Airlan Government Depairtment, fer Whitehaa depairtments waarkin i Norlin Airlan an’ fer Locail Government.  I Norlin Airlan hit applies tae Airish an’ tae Ulster Scots.

Hit dusnae cover sign leids ir the leids o’ the minoritie ethnic communities.

Fae tim’ tae tim’ the UK Government maun mak’ reports tae the Cooncil o’ Europe Committee o’ Experts wha report fae tim’ tae tim’ oan ivry kintra’s complyin’ wi’ hits obleegements unner the Chairter.

Quhat daes the Chairter mean fer Airish?

The signin’ o’ the Chairter means at thaim at uise Airish can uise hit quhan sennin screeds tae ir tellyphonin Government Depairtments ir Agencies.   Government Depairtments ir Agencies dinnae hae tae repone i Airish, bit they micht dae sae.  Accause o’ thon ye’ll bae fit tae uise Airish oan application foarms, tax returns an’ sae oan.  Ye shud min’ at accause the waarkin leid o’ the Norlin Airlan Civil Service bes Inglis maist submissions i Airish wul hae tae bae owreset an’, oan accoont o’ thon, hit micht tak’ a wee bit langer tae repone.

Gif uisers o’ Airish ir wantin’ tae yairn wi’ a Government official wha dusnae spake Airish noatice shud bae gien tae gie tim’ tae arrange an’ owresetter gif thon bes possible.

Maistly, (accause o’ hannlins arrangin’ owresetters), uisers o’ Ulster Scots wulnae bae fit tae hae a maitin hel’ i Ulster Scots.

Forebye thon Government wul owreset an’ bring oot sim paipers  at ir o’ peerticular intherest tae thaim at uise Ulster Scots.

Quhat bes DCAL daein tae heft Ulster Scots?

The mair at the Chairter dusnae obleege Government Depairtments an’ Agencies tae tak’ screeds ir tellyphone caas i Ulster Scots, the feck o’ thaim wul dae sae.  Government Depairtments ir Agencies dinnae hae tae repone  i Ulster Scots bit they can dae sae.  Thon means at ye’re fit tae uise Ulster Scots oan application foarms, tax returns an’ sae oan.  Ye shud min’ at es the waarkin leid o’ the Norlin Airlan Civil Service bes Inglis maist submissions i Ulster Scots wul hae tae bae owreset, wi the ootcum at hit micht tak’ langer tae repone.

Maistly, (adae wi’ problems i arrangin’ owresetters), thaim at uise Ulster Scots wulnae bae fit tae arrange fer a maetin tae bae hel’ i Ulster Scots.

Forebye thon Government wul owreset an’ pit oot sim paipers i Ulster Scots at ir o’ peerticular intherest tae thaim at uise Ulster Scots.

Quhat DCAL bes daein tae heft the Airish Leid

Alang wi’ the Depairtment o’ Community, Kintra an’ Gaeltacht Affairs DCAL peys fer Foras na Gaeilge (The Airish Leid Agency).

Foras na Gaeilge bes responsible fer heftin the Airish leid.

Forebye thon DCAL gies fundin’ tae Colmcille: an organisation airted aa “fosterin’ hefts fer the Gaelic leid an’ forder links atween Gaelic Scotlan’ an’ Airlan’.

DCAL rins the qualitie controlled Airish owresettin service fer the Norlin Airlan Civil Service.  We cairry oan waarkin tae standardise an’ mak’ betther the Airish owresettins uised bae the public sector.

Mair maakin o’ Airish leid programmes bes bein’ hefted through the Airish Leid Broadcastin’ Fund.

Wi’in the Civil Service DCAL hes tuk the lead roul i forderin the wies at thaim at spake Airish can uise thair chusen leid quhan dalin wi’ Government Agencies.  Hooiniver ye shud ‘min at the Depairtments ir responsible an’ ansuerable fer thair ain ections adae wi’ thon.

Thae daeins hae included producin’ steerins fer public servants tae heft thaim meet thair obleegements unner the European Chairter fer Locail ir minoritie leids adae wi’ the Airish an’ Ulster Scots leids.

Quhat DCAL bes daein tae heft Ulster Scots

Alang wi’ the Depairtment o’ Community, Kintra an’ Gaeltacht Affairs DCAL peys fer the Ulster Scots Agency (The Boord o’ Ulster Scotch).

The Ulster Scots Agency (The Boord o’ Ulster Scotch) bes responsible fer heftin mair awareness an’ uise o’ Ullans an’ o’ Ulster Scots heirskeip matthers baith i Norlin Airlan an’ athwort the islan’.

Forebye thon DCAL bes forderin plens fer an Ulster Scots Academie, at we wud hope tae hae ap an’ rinnin i the neir futtur.

DCAL hes tuk a lead roull i maakin steerins fer public servants tae heft thaim tae meet thair obleegements unner the European Chairter fer Locail ir Minoritie Leids adae wi’ the Ulster Scots leid.

Quhat DCAL bes daein tae heft Sign leid?

The Bilfawst/Guid Friday ‘Greement gies the owrearchin policie objective fer oor waark oan diversity o’ leids.

The mair at British Sign Leid (BSL) an’ Airish Sign Leid (ASL) wurnae maide mention o’ i the Bilfawst/Guid Friday ‘Greement, the Depairtment hes allus treated thaim es recognised leids.

Oan Mairch 29 2004 the Secretary o’ State fer Norlin Airlan announced the formal recognisin’ o’ BSL an’ ASL es leids i thair ain richt.  Through a Sign Leid Partnerschip Curn, Government Depairtments waarkin alang wi’ fowk fae the deef community i partnerschip unner the leaderschip o’ DCAL, ir taakin ection tae mak’ betther respect, unnerstannin an’ tolerance o’ BSL an’ ASL an’ tae forder notions fer maakin betther access tae public services.  Amang waark ap tae noo wus forderin o’ a tourin’ shew tae ris’ awareness o’ BSL an’ ASL, the forderin o’ steerins tae front line staff i Government Depairtments an’ Research tae identify chuses an’ chansts tae mak’ betther the supply o’ sign leid interpreters an’ teachers.

Quhat DCAL bes daein tae heft Minoritie Ethnic Community Leids

Es pairt o’ the Norlin Airlan Race Forum DCAL bes taakin the leid i a curn at wul bae leukin aa the leid an’ communication needs at minoritie ethnic communities hae i uisin public services i Norlin Airlan.  The curn wul bae a partnerschip atween intherested voluntary an’ community curns, the public sector an’ ither organisations.  Hits hoped at bae forderin stannarts an’ identifyin’ bes’ prattick the curn wul bae fit tae cum ap wi’ propones at wul reduce the inequalities at ir experienced bae minoritie ethnic leid uisers heir.

Hoo daes the Noarth/Sooth Leid Boadie waark?  Quhat daes hit dae? Quhar bes hit aa?

TheBoadie wus set ap i Decemmer 19&99 fer tae gie effect tae an unnertaakin bae the British an’Airish governments i the Bilfawst/Guid Friday ‘Greement.  The boadie bes maide ap o’ 24 boord members; 16 wi’ an intherest i Airish an 8 wi’ an intherest i Ulster Scots.

I effect thae twa curns waark es twa boords, yin wi’ owresicht fer the Airish side an’ yin wi’ owresicht o’ the Ulster Scots side o’ the Leid Boadies remit.

Baith curns hae a Chairsman wha thegither ect es joint Chairs fer the Leid Boadie,  The Leid Boadie hes twa implementin’ Agencies; The Ulster Scots Agency (The Boord o’ Ulster Scotch) an’ Foras na Gaelige (Airish Leid Agency).

The NSMC(Noarth/Sooth Meenesterial Cooncil) Joint Secretariat hefts the sponsor Depairtments (DCAL an’ DCRGA) an the Leid Boadie i forderin arrangements tae heft the Agencies tae cairry oot thair functions i accord wi’ thair laafu’ remit.  The NSMC Joint Secretariat co-ordinates Meenester’s decisions through the NSMC Interim Procedures Process.

The Noarth/Sooth Co-operation (Implementin Boadies)(Norlin Airlan) Ordair 19&99 ootlines the waark o’ the Noarth/Sooth Boadie:

“Yin Boadie wi’ twa differ pairts wi’ the functions ablow:

Airish Leid:

  • Heftin o’ the Airish leid;
  • Facilitatin’ an encouragin’ hits uise i speech an’ screeds i public an’ private lif’ i the Sooth an’, i the context o’ Pairt III o’ the European Chairter fer Locail ir Minoritie Leids i Norlin Airlan quhar thair bes demand;
  • Adwisin baith administrations, public boadies an’ ither curns i the private an’ voluntary sectors;
  • Unnertaakin heftin projects, an’ gien grants tae boadies an’ curns es thocht needfu’;
  • Unnertaakin research, promotional campaigns an’ public an’ media relations;
  • Forderin terminology an’ dictionaries;
  • Heftin education i Airish an’ the teachin’ o’ Airish

Ulster Scots

Heftin o’ mair awareness an’ uise o’ Ullans an’ o’ Ulster Scots heirskeip issues, baith i Norlin Airlan an’ athwort the islan’.”

Foras na Gaelige hes a heid offaice i Dublin an’ an offaice i Bilfawst.  The Ulster Scots Agency (The Boord o’ Ulster Scotch) bes based i Bilfawst wi’ an offaice i Dinnygal.

Hoo bes the budget wrocht oot fer the Airish an’ Ulster Scots pairts o’ the Noarth/Sooth leid boadie?  Fer wie ir they differ?

The budgets fer the twa agencies ir set independently accordain tae thair ain differ needs (es set oot i thair business plens) an’ taakin intae accoont catter tae han’.  Thae budgets ir ‘greed thegither bae DCAL an’ DCRGA, waarkin wi’ thair ain finance depairtments an i close consultation wi’ the twa agencies. They irnae set i relation tae yin anither.  Baith agencies rin oan calendar yeirs.

DCAL peys 75% o’ the Ulster Scots Agency (The Boord o’ Ulster Scotch) budget an’ DCRGA gies 25%. DCRGA peys 75% o’ Foras na Gaeilge’s budget wi’ DCAL peyin 25%.  Thae proportions wur ‘greed quhan thae boadies wur stairtet an’ hae bein kep’ ap sine.

Forebye thon ye shud min’ at DCRGA peys i euro quyhles DCAL dales i sterlin’.

The budgets fer the twa agencies ir differ fer a wheen o’ raisons, amang thaim bein’:

  • Nummer o’ uisers
  • The level o’ forderin an’ the differ situation o’ baith leids an’ the capacity o’ communities.
  • The Ulster Scots Agency (Boord o’ Ulster Scotch) stairted ap fae scratch quyhles Foras na Gaeilge (Airish Leid Agency)wus foarmed fae organisations aareadie existin’ wi’ existin’ commitments o’ catter an’ experienced staff.

Quhat bes the budget o’ the Noarth/Sooth Leid Boadie?

The Noarth/Sooth Leid Boadie waarks i calendar yeirs

Es the twa agencies i the Boadie ir peyed i twa catters, altherations i the velue o’ prugh hae an affect oan the enn amoonts.

The main catter o’ the Ulster Scots Agency (The Boord o’ Ulster Scots) bes sterlin’, quyhles the main catter o’ Foras na Gaeilge (The Airish Leid Agency) bes euro, (langsine Airish Punts), sae we hae gien nummers i thae catters.

Ulster Scots Agency (hits lane)

Yeir  GBP (millions)

  • 1.42
  • 1.54
  • 1.704
  • 1.809
  • 2.132

Foras na Gaeilge (hits lane)

Yeir              Euro (millions)

  • 17.87 EURO
  • 17.87 EURO
  • 18.694 EURO
  • 19.356
  • 19.862

DCAL peys 75% o’ the Ulster Scots Agency budget an’ DCRGA peys 25%. DCRGA peys 75% o’ Foras na Gaeilge’s budget wi’ DCAL peyin 25%.  Thae proportions wur ‘greed quhan the boadies wur stairtet an’ hae bein kep’ ap sine.

Wha spakes Airish?

The 2001 Census foun’ at 167,490 fowk hed ‘sim’ knowledge o’ Airish’, an ootae thaim 75,125 ‘spake, raid an’ unnerstan Airish’.

The Norlin Airlan Lif’ an’ Tims Survey an’ the Census shew at thaim spakin Airish ir apt tae bae Roman Catholic, nationalist an’ young.  Thair irnae onie baag differs adae wi’ bein’ men ir weemin, marriet ir no ir dependants, an we havnae onie wittens adae wi’ sexual airtin. Airish Trevellers ir ir mair apt tae spake Airish es ir fowk wha irnae marriet an’ thaim at dinnae hae a disablement.

Wha spakes Ulster Scots i Norlin Airlan?

The Norlin Airlan Lif’ an’ Tims Survey (19&99) foun’ at 2% o’ fowk spake Ulster Scots.  Thon wud amoont tae aboot 35,000 fowk.  The Ulster Scots Leid Societie alloos at thair ir 100,000 spakers.  The mair thair ir Ulster Scots spakers i aist Dinnygal.  O’ coorse thair ir ap tae twa million Scots spakers i Scotlan’

The Norlin Airlan Lif’ an’ Tims Survey (based oan a wee wheen o’ Ulster Scots spakers – 43) foun’ at thaim at spake Ulster Scots ir mair apt tae bae aulder an ir a wee bit mair apt tae bae Protestant ir men.  Hit foun forebye at a wee bit less nor hauf o’ Ulster Scots spakers allooed thairsels tae bae ‘unionist’, the ithers wur neir evenly split atween ‘nationalist’ an ‘neither’.  Thair irnae onie baag differs adae wi’ bein men ir weemin, marriet ir no ir dependants, an we havnae onie wittens adae wi’ sexual airtin.

A’hm involved i an Airish ir Ulster Scots leid programme an’ am intherested i gettin’ a grant, quhat shud A dae?

DCAL dusnae gie grants tae organisations, raither we ect through oor Agencies.

Foras na Gaeilage gies fundin’ tae Airish leid curns an’ organisations.  Tae fin oot gif ye’ll bae fit tae get a grant ye shud get oantae hits heid offaice i Dublin:

Foras na Gaeilge

7 Cearnog Mhuirfean

Baile Atha Cliath 2

Teilefon 1850 325325 (Eire)/0845 3098142 (Norlin Airlan)

Riomhphost eolas@forasnagaeilge.ie

Suiom Greasain www.forasnagaeilge.ie

Ir thair offaice i Bilfawst

Foras na Gaeilge

Wastgate Hoose

2-4 Quaen Street,

Bilfawst

BT1 6ED

Tellyphone 028 9089 0970

Epoast eolas@forasnagaeilge.ie

Wabsteid www.gaeilge.ie

The Ulster Scots Agency gies catter tae Ulster Scots curns an’ organisations.  Tae fin oot gif ye’ll bae fit tae get a grant ye shud get oantae hits heid offaice i Bilfawst:

The Ulster Scots Agency

Franklin Hoose

5th Flure,

10 – 12 Brunswick Street,

Bilfawst,

BT2 7GE

Tellyphone 028 9023 1113 (Norlin Airlan) 00353 749173876 (Eire)

Epoast info@ulsterscotsagency.org.uk

Wabsteid www.ulsterscotsagency.com

O’ coorse thair ir monie ither grant gien organisations, an’ i the pas’ monie Airish an’ Ulster Scots curns hae gat grants fae ither sources es thair daeins metched thair criteria fer gien grants.

A’hm intherested i lairnin a leid, quhat shud A dae?

Gif  ye’re intherested i lairnin Airish thair ir uisefu wittens oan Foras na Gaeilge’s wabsteid.

Gif ye’re intherested i lairnin Ulster Scots thair ir uisefu wittens oan The Boord o’ Ulster Scotch wabsteid.

A uise Airish ir Ulster Scots i mae ivryday lif’: can A tellyphone ir sen’ a screed tae the Government i the leid A’hd raither uise?

Aye.  Ye can sen’ a screed tae onie Government depairtment ir agency i Airish ir Ulster Scots.  Sim boadies micht repone forebye i yer chusen leid.

Forebye thon ye can tellyphone Government i Airish ir Ulster Scots: voicepoasts hae bein set ap tae alloo thon:

Airish 028 90515251

Ulster Scots 028 90515252

Mak’ siccar at ye saie fer wha the message bes fer an’ gie yer address sae a repone can bae sent efter yer message bes owreset.
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