Funding for the Irish language, the Gaeltacht, and the Islands saw an increase of €2.5 million in Budget 2020, and will help fund "numerous organisations and programmes in Galway and beyond".
This is the view of Aire don Ghaeilge, don Ghaeltacht agus do na hÓileáin, Sean Kyne, who has welcomed the increase announced on Tuesday. This includes an additional €1 million in capital funding for Údarás na Gaeltachta, bringing to €10 million the core capital allocation for the Gaeltacht agency, its highest funding in a decade.
There is an additional €500,000 for the Language Planning Process to support language plans, such as those recently launched in An Cheathru Rua and Rosmuc. Additional funding of €275,000 has also been secured for transport services to the islands.
"From education and learning, to business and enterprise, to transport and infrastructure, the supports from Government are essential and will, through Budget 2020, be secured and enhanced for next year," said Minister Kyne. “With the threat of Brexit, the funding for Údarás na Gaeltachta, which will be augmented with additional funding in the event of a No Deal Brexit, will help the organisation continue to support its client companies which range from multinationals to start-ups."