Cois Fharraige’s language planning may be in jeopardy as the community -ased Fóram Chois Fharraige um Pleanáil Teanga is threatening to dissolve itself at the end of the year unless increased funding and more staff are sanctioned for its implementation.
The fóram is the umbrella organisation of community groups which put a comprehensive language plan together for the Cois Fharraige Gaeltacht, an area which stretches along the coast from Na Forbacha to Ros a’ Mhíl.
The offer of €100,000 from Údarás na Gaeltachta and the sanctioning of one full time worker was rejected by the Fóram last month, on the basis that it only met 40 per cent of the required funding and a third of the required staff necessary for the full implementation of the language plan, according to the fóram.
The coiste stiúrtha (steering committee ) of the fóram met with officials from Údarás na Gaeltachta and Údarás na Gaeltachta a fortnight ago, at which meeting more time was requested by the Gaeltacht Department officials to consider the matter.
Disappointment was expressed at Monday’s meeting of the fóram at the lack of progress since that meeting.
The fóram at its meeting last Monday decided to give until Christmas to Roinn na Gaeltachta and Údarás na Gaeltachta to put together a new acceptable offer.
In a statement issued after the meeting the fóram said that any new offer would need to provide for a substantial increase of funding as well as the sanctioning of broader staff requirements, beyond one full time worker.
In the event of no acceptable offer being forthcoming before Christmas, the statement said that it was the intention to advise all affiliated organisations to dissolve the fóram at the end of the year.
