Dara Calleary
Mayo · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“Agriculture is the backbone. We have all been in the Mansion House today, or everyone has said they were anyway. Energy security is key and crucial. Everybody wants energy security but nobody wants wind energy. We have to strike a balance and get a real discussion, but food security is most important.”
“While we have gaps there, we are addressing them. The Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, has announced the minor injury units, which will take the pressure off major hospitals and ensure services are available.”
“Recent figures from the CSO show that there is a 5.8% increase in the number of people living in rural areas between 2016 and 2022. In areas classified as highly rural and remote, the increase was 6.4%.”
“Enterprise Ireland is investing in Irish-owned, Irish-founded companies. Similarly, 59% of IDA investments were located outside the Dublin region. We will continue to work, looking at the progress we can make through the IDA, Enterprise Ireland and, as Senator O'Loughlin said, through supporting our local enterprise offices.”
“That is something we do daily and they are used where is necessary. The plan will be supported by ambitious, clear, practical and measurable actions. I have spoken to some of the funding programmes available within my Department.”
“Táim tar éis cuairt a thabhairt ar gach ceantar Gaeltachta chun plé fairsing a dhéanamh leis na pobail sin chun a fháil amach uathu féin cén cineál tacaíochta ar féidir a chur ar fáil dóibh chun cabhrú leo. Táim chun leanúint ar aghaidh leis an obair sin sa bhuiséad le teacht agus na buiséid eile.”
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“While applications for towns with populations of up to 15,000 people are accepted in certain circumstances, the scheme specifically targets funding at rural towns and villages with populations of less than 10,000. I am anxious to ensure that the design of schemes such as the town and village renewal scheme ensures that we are using available funding in the most efficient and effective manner. With this in mind, the terms and conditions of each scheme are reviewed each year. In advance of the launch of the next iteration of the town and village renewal scheme, I will examine the approach to eligible towns, including smaller villages in the Dublin West region as referenced by the Deputy.”
“I thank the Deputy for her question and her ongoing interest in this area. In line with commitments in Our Rural Future, my Department supports a wide range of strategic capital investment schemes, ringfenced under the rural development investment programme, to transform rural towns and villages, making them thriving places to live, work, raise families and build enterprises. These schemes include the rural regeneration and development fund, LEADER, and the town and village renewal scheme. The scheme was introduced in 2016. It is designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. Since the launch of the scheme, more than €210 million has been allocated to over 1,900 projects.”
“We are looking at that kind of process, which might work in terms of social enterprise in the more rural areas. I am certainly anxious to do more in that space around community-led tourism projects and community-led tourism conservation projects.”
“I agree with the Deputy. In our engagements with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment we are looking at how we can maximise it. Deputy McGuinness referred to making an area more attractive as tourism accommodation comes back on stream. I do not see the Department getting involved in investing in commercial hotel projects. I would not like to create an expectation that there will be that kind of investment. Many hotels have reinvested the proceeds they received under the various international protection contracts back into facilities. What we will do is invest in the community-led infrastructure that makes it attractive for an operator to invest. I am looking and I am interested. We have a number of projects that are community-led and community co-operative-led. The Deputy mentioned glamping.”
“For instance, in the Deputy's constituency, the Waterford greenway is seen as the standard for greenways nationally. That has probably opened up a huge number of opportunities in the more rural parts of his constituency. That is the kind of thing we want to do. The investment in infrastructure opens up the investment for enhancement and attractiveness for tourism investment.”
“We want to try to promote enterprises and improve and promote the attractiveness of rural areas so we have developed the specific outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme. This is one of the schemes for enhancing the attractiveness of trails and of visitor attractions that in turn make a rural area more attractive or more feasible for hotel investment. Since 2020, we have invested €110 million in over 1,300 outdoor recreation projects across the country. Through LEADER, we invested over €52 million across the country, and over €9 million of that was invested in tourism-related projects and rural tourism and recreation projects. We are having discussions with the Department of tourism in the context of the preparation of the next Our Rural Future. Fáilte Ireland has a very strong capital programme to role out at major visitor attractions.”
“This includes responsibility for the national tourism policy statement, A New Era for Irish Tourism, which was published in December 2025 and sets out the Government's long-term approach to the development of tourism. I can confirm as part of my Department's ongoing work developing the successor policy to Our Rural Future, my officials are engaging with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment in respect of its remit. My officials are engaging with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment in respect of its remit. The next iteration of Our Rural Future will include a focus on both rural tourism and rural enterprise generally. Work on the development of the policy is ongoing. It is drawing on a wide-ranging consultation process and I hope to be in a position to publish it before the summer.”
“In all cases in terms of funding, many of those tend to be towards community, co-operative-based initiatives. More widely, the sustainability of rural businesses including tourism and hospitality is clearly enhanced by the provision of public and community infrastructure. The funding made available by my Department through a range of schemes such as RRDF and the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme, ORIS is clearly having positive impacts in this regard. At cross-governmental level, responsibility for business enterprise and tourism resonates with my colleague, Deputy Burke, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.”
“The Deputy is a super sub today. Under my Department’s rural development investment programme, a range of schemes provide capital funding with a focus on the economic and social development of our rural areas. The schemes do not, however, include a specific focus on the provision of hotel accommodation. A limited number of projects have been supported by the rural regeneration and development fund, RRDF, and the town and village renewal scheme, which have seen short-stay accommodation facilities included, as part of a wider, multifunctional project. Similarly, while LEADER does not generally support hotel-based projects, it has supported projects related to tourist accommodation, for example, through support for glamping projects and other tourism-focused initiatives.”
“They are spread right across the country, in rural areas and in cities, and this is making an immediate difference. Our economic policies that are focused and ambitious mean we are in a position to put €250 million in at this point. We continue to keep the position under review. The Deputy’s party’s position is to throw money at everything. Were we to follow that position, we would not have the resources available that we have now.”
“In relation to the LEADER companies, I assure the Deputy that they have substantial administration budgets. We are working with them closely to make sure they invest it. As I said, we continue to monitor the position and we will continue to do that. We can do that because we have a strong economy. We can do that because we have made decisions that are sensible and evidence-based over many years. The €250 million investment is one of the biggest in Europe when we look at what is happening in the UK where they have invested, I think, £35 million. This gives us a sense that we are doing this in a targeted way. Those 467,000 people are families on fuel allowance, and this makes a big difference to those families. For the first time, fuel allowance has been extended to working families.”
“Again, the working family payment is right across the country, including in rural Ireland. We have said we will keep the position under review. Were we to adopt Sinn Féin's position and react to every crisis by throwing cash at it, we would not have the capacity to deliver, keep things under review and put further investments in if this situation in the Middle East continues.”
“There was consensus on the vote and Sinn Féin was the only party to oppose the reduction in excise duty. Every other party in the House supported it. A total of 467,204 people will get fuel allowance and there is an extension of four weeks. That is an investment of €71 million. The majority of the recipients of the fuel allowance payment live in rural counties. That is €152. My understanding, which I will clarify for the Deputy, is that it will be paid weekly. We want to get it to people as quickly as possible. That €152 extra will make a difference and will bring in fuel allowance season right to the week ending 1 May. There was a €5 increase this year as well. For the first time, just under 50,000 families in receipt of the working family payment will also get the fuel allowance.”
“At present we do not have any plans at present to introduce additional funding supports for community and voluntary organisations but we continue to monitor the situation very closely.”
“The community services programme, CSP, currently supports the delivery of 445 local services via 426 organisations, and we have announced new funding for CSP this year. The scheme to support national organisations, SSNO, currently provides multi-annual funding towards core costs of 82 organisations that address poverty, social exclusion and promote equality. The local enhancement programme, LEP, is providing small grants to community groups to enhance their facilities, with supports available to community centres, local development associations, social clubs, senior citizen groups, men’s and women’s sheds. The financial package introduced by the Government will reduce the pressure being experienced by households and communities.”
“As regards the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, significant levels of financial support are currently being provided by Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, to community organisations under a number of different programmes and schemes. With a budget estimate for the Department totalling €611 million, funding of €260 million is available for community development programmes in 2026. A particular focus of community development is to support marginalised and disadvantaged communities and those who are most likely to be hit hardest by rising energy costs. An allocation of €74 million is being provided to the social inclusion and community activation programme, SICAP, and other social inclusion measures in 2026.”
“I thank Deputy McGuinness for raising this question. We are very aware of rising energy costs, which are being driven by the global uncertainty caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. These are affecting everybody in society, including communities and civil society organisations. This week, the Government agreed on a €250 million package to alleviate the impact of the rise in energy costs caused by this conflict. These measures, which include measures administered my other Department, the Department of Social Protection, will assist those most in need of financial support.”
“Tá muid, mar Rialtas, tar éis infheistíocht mhór a chur i scoileanna. Tá muid dírithe air seo. Beidh muid i dteagmháil leis an gcoiste tar éis na Cásca mar caithfidh muid na cáilíochtaí a ligfeadh do dhuine teach a thógáil sa Ghaeltacht a phlé. Ní mór dúinn na caighdeáin teanga agus cúrsaí mar sin a phlé. Tá muid ag súil leis sin a phlé leis an gcoiste. Tá muid ag oibriú air seo. Tá muid ag oibriú go díreach agus tá mé ag cur an-bhrú ar mo chomhghleacaithe Airí.”
“Tá muid go léir le chéile air seo. Is é sin an fáth nach ndeachaigh muid i gcoinne an rúin mar tá sé tábhachtach go bhfuil guth láidir sa Dáil seo faoi thithíocht sa Ghaeltacht. Tá muid ag oibriú uirthi. Tá a lán freagraí ann, agus tá sé sin tábhachtach. Bhí cruinnithe agam leis na príomhfheidhmeannaigh sna húdaráis áitiúla. Chuir mé brú orthu agus chuir mé an scéal seo os a gcomhair leis na sonraí sin a fháil. Déanfaidh mé obair eile maidir leis na sonraí atá leagtha amach ag an Teachta Ó Snodaigh faoi na scoileanna atá faoi bhrú sna ceantair Ghaeltachta. Déanfaidh muid staidéar air sin le feiceáil má tá suíomh in aice láimhe ina mbeidh muid in ann rudaí a dhéanamh. Tá sé thar a bheith tábhachtach go bhfuil an infreastruchtúr sin iontu, lena n-áirítear infreastruchtúr oideachais, spóirt agus saoil do dhaoine sa Ghaeltacht.”
“Tá daoine ag iarraidh a rá nach bhfuil aon rud ag tarlú ach tá a lán rudaí ag tarlú. Ag féachaint ar na deontais le haghaidh na dtithe folmha, tá rudaí ar siúl ansin freisin. Tá obair le déanamh againn leis an údarás agus tá muid ag déanamh na hoibre sin sula dtiocfaidh an Bille os comhair na Dála, rud a tharlóidh roimh an samhradh.”
“Aontaím leis an Teachta. Tá an obair sin ar siúl. Bhí cruinniú agam le príomhfheidhmeannach an údaráis. Tá liosta déanta agus tá muid ag déanamh oibre ar an liosta sin faoi shuíomhanna cosúil leis sin. Níl sé chomh éasca sin, áfach. I roinnt de na suíomhanna sin, tá cúrsaí séarachais agus uisce réasúnta láidir, ach níl aon seirbhísí i suíomhanna eile. Maidir le ceadúnais pleanála sa Ghaeltacht, i mbliana, bhí 53 teach nua ceadaithe as 62 iarratas i nGaeltacht na Gaillimhe. I nGaeltacht Mhaigh Eo, sa bhliain seo, bhí 25 iarratas agus gan aon teach diúltaithe. I nGaeltacht Phort Láirge, i nDáilcheantar an Teachta McGuinness, níor diúltaíodh aon cheann as trí iarratas go fóill. Anuraidh, bhí 25 iarratas ceadaithe sa Ghaeltacht sinn agus diúltaíodh dhá iarratas. Tá a lán oibre ar siúl.”
“Beidh ról tánaisteach ach tábhachtach ag Údarás na Gaeltachta maidir le soláthar tithíochta sa Ghaeltacht i dteannta ról na Roinne Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta agus go háirithe ról na n-údarás áitiúla.”
“I bplean tithíochta an Rialtais a fhoilsíodh le déanaí, gealltar an ráiteas a fhoilsiú agus moltar scrúdú a dhéanamh ar fhéidearthachtaí Údarás na Gaeltachta oibriú le hUisce Éireann agus le húdaráis áitiúla chun tacú le tithíocht a thógáil do phobail labhartha na Gaeilge. Reáchtáil mé cruinniú le gairid idir Údarás na Gaeltachta agus Uisce Éireann chun a chinntiú go ndéanfar dul chun cinn gan dua maidir leis an fhéidearthacht seo a scrúdú. Is fiú a nótáil go bhfuil obair thábhachtach ar bun ag Údarás na Gaeltachta chun fostaíocht a chur ar fáil do phobal na Gaeltachta. Ní bheadh sé cuí béim agus fócas na heagraíochta i gcomhlíonadh an róil sin a laghdú.”
“Cé gurb é athbhunú toghchán bhord an údaráis príomhchuspóir an Bhille seo, ar mhaithe le tacú le soláthar tithíochta sa Ghaeltacht déanfar leasú sa Bhille ar alt 8 den Acht um Údarás na Gaeltachta chun cead a thabhairt don údarás talamh a dhíol le comhlacht tithíochta ceadaithe nó le húdarás tithíochta nó a dhiúscairt ar shlí eile chun tithíocht a sholáthar sa Ghaeltacht. Tá mé féin agus mo chomhghleacaí, an tAire, an Teachta Browne, ag obair go dlúth lena chéile ar an gceist seo lenár gcuid oifigeach agus tá obair shuntasach déanta ag an Roinn ag forbairt ráiteas pleanála náisiúnta don Ghaeltacht. Tá sé beartaithe go bhfoilseofar an ráiteas pleanála náisiúnta don Ghaeltacht sa chéad leath de 2027 ach beidh sé ag tarlú roimhe sin.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta. Is fiú a thabhairt faoi deara go dtiteann freagracht as cúrsaí tithíochta ar bhonn ginearálta ar an Roinn Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta agus nach bhfuil ach ról tánaisteach ag mo Roinn féin i mbeartas tithíochta. É sin ráite, tá soláthar tithíochta dóibh siúd atá ina gcónaí agus ag obair sa Ghaeltacht thar a bheith tábhachtach dom. Go deimhin, tá tithíocht riachtanach chun an teanga, seirbhísí, fostaíocht, fiontraíocht agus deiseanna eile sa Ghaeltacht a fhorbairt. Agus é sin san áireamh, tá céimeanna tacaíochta á dtógáil chun na críche seo. Tá an Bille um Údarás na Gaeltachta (Leasú), 2024 le tógáil ar Chéim na Tuarascála go gairid.”
“I thank both Deputies. I will again clarify the position. The former employees took refunds of their contributions. They have no pension entitlements. Therefore, they had no entitlement under the mediated settlement. The Pensions Authority has also advised that there has been no breach of the Pensions Act in this case. Some took legal action against the parties. That action was settled. It did not involve the State in any way. The Attorney General has comprehensively reviewed all of the information that was provided to him in September 2024 and his advice is that nothing further can be done in the case. In other cases, the Deputies will have found instances where I feel there can be a solution but, on this occasion, a meeting would be unfair because it may create an expectation that I cannot meet.”
“I appreciate that the members of WCPAG feel an injustice has been done to them. Unfortunately, it is not something the State was party to or can now resolve. As I have communicated to the group and Deputy Cullinane, nothing has changed from my Department’s perspective. There is no basis for me to intervene, considering that the Attorney General has reviewed this issue comprehensively. In those circumstances, I do not feel a meeting is warranted. I hope this clarifies the matter for both Deputies.”
“The question regarding the provision of leaving service options is one for the employer and the trustees, rather than the State. I understand that some members of WCPAG took a legal action against these parties, which was ultimately settled. My Department was not party to these proceedings but the outcome did not reinstate the members pension rights in the pension schemes. Following a meeting with some of those affected in September 2024, the former Taoiseach and current Tánaiste, Deputy Harris, requested the Attorney General to review the claims being made, including the allegations around the failure to provide leaving service options. The Attorney General advised that there is no basis on which the State could be obliged to compensate the members concerned or otherwise intervene.”
“In total, 1,774 scheme members were covered by the agreement. The total costs to the Exchequer arising from the mediated agreement were estimated at €253 million. No member of the schemes with a pension entitlement at the date of wind-up was excluded from the mediated settlement in respect of their benefits. The former employees of Waterford Crystal who previously took redundancy and received refunds of pension contributions were not eligible to be included in the mediated settlement as they had no benefits retained in the scheme. Those who took partial refunds maintained an entitlement commensurate with their level of benefits that remained in the scheme. This group of workers, the Waterford Crystal Pension Action Group, WCPAG, disputes the receipt of pension option forms at the time they were made redundant.”
“Separately, in 2010, a legal action was taken by a group of former Waterford Crystal workers against the State following the insolvency of the Waterford Crystal factory and staff pension schemes. The case, which is known as the Hogan case, related to the failure of the State to adequately transpose into Irish law the relevant provisions of the European Union’s insolvency directive. The directive requires member states to ensure that necessary measures are taken to protect employees’ occupational pension scheme benefits where an employer becomes insolvent. In 2015, a mediated settlement was reached between the parties to that legal action. The mediated settlement applied to all persons who were members of the Waterford Crystal staff and factory pension schemes on the date of wind-up of the schemes, namely, 31 March 2009.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an mbeirt Teachta Dála as an ábhar tábhachtach seo a ardú anocht. As Deputies Cullinane and McGuinness set out, the issue relates to a group of former workers who left the service of Waterford Crystal between 1990 and 1992 under a redundancy arrangement. At the time of the redundancy, the workers received a refund of their pension contributions relating to their service in the relevant company pension schemes up to that time. Consequently, they then ceased to be members of the pension schemes and no longer had any rights or entitlements under those schemes. This was a private agreement entered into by the workers themselves with their former employers.”
“Tá a lán rudaí maithe ag tarlú, agus tá an Rialtas seo dáiríre faoin nGaeilge. Sin an fáth a bhfuil Aire sinsearach ann. Sin an fáth a bhfuil an buiséad is mó againn agus níl ann ach tús. Ní raibh sé sin ach mo chéad bhuiséad mar Aire na Gaeltachta. Táim dáiríre le leanúint leis na buiséid eile agus leanúint leis an saghas infheistíochta sin.”
“Tar éis dom an t-ardú is mó riamh a fháil d’earnáil na Gaeilge, na Gaeltachta agus na n-oileán i mbuiséad 2026 - gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire, an Teachta Chambers, as sin - beidh €160 milliún á infheistiú ag mo Roinn san earnáil i mbliana. Idir an infheistíocht seo, tionchar an phlean gníomhaíochta um sheirbhísí poiblí Gaeilge a foilsíodh roinnt seachtainí ó shin agus tionchar na gcaighdeán teanga atá le tabhairt isteach i mbliana, táim muiníneach go gcuirfear borradh láidir faoi úsáid na teanga sa tréimhse atá amach romhainn. Tuigim an frustrachas atá ann faoi chúrsaí tithíochta. Beidh sé sin le plé i ndíospóireacht eile an oíche seo. Táimid ag obair mar Rialtas. Táim ag obair leis an Aire tithíochta faoin bhfadhb sin. Tá a lán dúshlán ann, ach tá deiseanna ann.”
“Tá soiléir agus cinnte, agus tuigim go bhfuil dúshláin ag an teanga ach táimid ag leagan síos struchtúir, polasaithe agus reachtaíocht anois a sheasfaidh don 20 bliain atá amach romhainn agus a imreoidh tionchar dearfach ar bhonn córasach agus straitéiseach ar úsáid na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht agus ar fud na hÉireann le himeacht aimsire. Tá neart rudaí spreagúla le bheith ag súil leo. Beidh Uachtaránacht an Aontais Eorpaigh ag Éirinn sna sé mhí dheireanacha den bhliain seo. Táim i mbun oibre ag an leibhéal is airde den Rialtas, i gcomhar leis an Aire Stáit Thomas Byrne, ag cinntiú go mbeidh ról lárnach agus croíúil ag an teanga san obair sin.”
“Tá féilte agus cláir ealaíon an Oireachtais ag cur ardáin thábhachtacha ar fáil d’ealaíontóirí agus do phobail ar fud na tíre. Beidh an fhéile náisiúnta drámaíochta ar siúl an mhí seo chugainn i gCathair na Mart. Beidh mé i láthair ag cuid den fhéile sin agus mé ag súil le toradh na hoibre sin a fheiceáil. Is cuid lárnach den éiceachóras teanga iad na gníomhaíochtaí éagsúla sin, a thacaíonn lenár n-iarrachtaí úsáid na teanga a fhorbairt agus atá ag teacht le múnla UNESCO ar a bhfuil an straitéis 20 bliain don Ghaeilge bunaithe.”
“Maidir leis na healaíona Gaeilge, tá mo Roinn ag infheistiú i dtodhchaí láidir don Ghaeilge sna healaíona teangabhunaithe. Chuige sin, tá maoiniú €1.24 milliún ceadaithe agam don bhliain 2026 d’Ealaín na Gaeltachta do chlár forbartha ealaíon na heagraíochta sin sna ceantair Ghaeltachta. Tá comhaontú maoinithe €5 milliún curtha i bhfeidhm againn do Thaibhdhearc na Gaillimhe ó 2024 go 2027, agus dá bharr sin tá an Taibhdhearc ag feidhmiú anois le buiséad atá ag teacht lena stádas mar amharclann náisiúnta na Gaeilge agus cúig mhórléiriú drámaíochta ar an stáitse aici in aghaidh na bliana. Tá breis agus €4 milliún bronnta ag mo Roinn freisin ar Oireachtas na Gaeilge don tréimhse 2024 go 2027, agus muid ag dul ar ais go Ciarraí an fómhar seo chugainn.”
“Tuigim an frustrachas atá ann faoin pholasaí oideachais ach tá mé chun déileáil leis sin i gcomhpháirt leis an Roinn oideachais. Ina theannta sin, deich mbliana ó shin ní raibh stádas iomlán mar theanga oifigiúil oibre ag an nGaeilge san Aontas Eorpach. Ní raibh Gréasán Gaeilge na Seirbhíse Poiblí ann ná infheistíocht cheart ag dul isteach i seirbhísí luathbhlianta sa Ghaeltacht, in Ealaín na Gaeltachta ná i seirbhísí óige sa Ghaeltacht. Ní raibh an plean náisiúnta ná plean gníomhaíochta um sheirbhísí poiblí Gaeilge againn ach an oiread. In 2026, beidh Údarás na Gaeltachta, le maoiniú mo Roinne, ag cur tús le dhá scéim nua - ceann amháin acu a neadóidh an phleanáil teanga isteach i gcliantchomhlachtaí na heagraíochta agus ceann eile a chuirfidh an phleanáil teanga chun cinn i measc lucht gnó na Gaeltachta.”
“Deich mbliana ó shín, ní raibh an próiseas pleanála teanga ach ina thús; ní raibh beagnach 80 duine breise ag obair go heisiach ar fhorbairt na teanga sa Ghaeltacht mar atá anois; ní raibh an eagraíocht Tuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta ag feidhmiú mar chuid den phróiseas pleanála teanga; ní raibh Acht teanga nua againn agus spriocanna earcaíochta dúshlánacha san áireamh ann; ní raibh fógraí i nGaeilge le cloisteáil ná le feiceáil go fairsing ar an raidió, ar an teilifís agus sna meáin shóisialta agus na nuachtáin; ní raibh aon stáisiún teilifíse do dhaoine óga ann mar atá againn anois le Cúla4; ní raibh plean digiteach don Ghaeilge againn; agus ní raibh polasaí don oideachas Gaeltachta ann ná ceachtar den dá pholasaí nua a d’fhógair an Roinn Oideachais agus Óige ag deireadh 2025.”
“Níl gá le gníomh mór amháin chun an Ghaeilge a thabhairt beo don chéad ghlúin eile: teastaíonn éiceachóras teanga a fhorbairt agus a chothú chun é sin a dhéanamh. Sa chomhthéacs sin, ní mór dúinn seasamh siar agus breathnú ar an áit ina bhfuilimid anois i gcomparáid leis an áit ina raibh muid deich mbliana ó shin.”
“Le breis agus bliain anuas, bhí mé gnóthach ag taisteal ar fud na tíre agus ag bualadh le pobal na teanga. Mar a dúirt mé, tabharfaidh mé cuairt ar Chontae Chiarraí ar an Déardaoin agus ar an Aoine. I mí Dheireadh Fómhair seo caite, ba mhór an onóir dom freastal ar an Oireachtas i mBéal Feirste, ócáid iontach inar léiríodh an chuid is fearr dár gcultúr. I mí an Mheithimh seo caite, bhí Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta i Ráth Chairn i gContae na Mí. Ba rud speisialta é freastal ar an ócáid sin chun bualadh le daoine ó gach cearn den Ghaeltacht agus iad ag baint sult as na cluichí i dtimpeallacht nádúrtha teanga. Tá mé ag súil go mór le dul go Dún na nGall le haghaidh Chomórtas Peile na Gaeltachta an samhradh seo.”
“Gach lá dá raibh sí sa Teach seo, bhain sí úsáid as an nGaeilge. Gabhaim buíochas le hUachtarán na hÉireann, duine a bhfuil Gaeilge líofa aici, agus muid ag ceiliúradh Sheachtain na Gaeilge. Is rud iontach é go bhfuil Uachtarán eile againn le Gaeilge, tar éis an iarUachtarán Michael D. Higgins. Tá spriocanna uaillmhianacha leagtha amach agam don chéad chúpla bliain eile. Táim cinnte dearfach go ndéanfaidh an obair seo difríocht mhór do phobal labhartha na Gaeilge agus don Ghaeltacht. Ní féidir na spriocanna seo a bhaint amach gan rannpháirtíocht ó réimse leathan daoine, grúpaí agus eagraíochtaí, lena n-airítear pobal na pleanála teanga, na Ranna Stáit, Foras na Gaeilge, Údarás na Gaeltachta, na ceanneagraíochtaí, na húdaráis áitiúla agus na heagraíochtaí Stáit trí chéile.”
“As the Deputy said, the richness in that moment for two Gaeltacht clubs, after winning all-Ireland club championships, that their captains were able to address the crowd and give their congratulations as Gaeilge, was fantastic. That was very much the cream of their victories. I join with the Deputy in that regard. Ceapadh mar Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail, agus Gaeltachta mé ag tús na bliana seo caite. Is mé an chéad Aire sinsearach don Ghaeilge agus don Ghaeltacht le tamall de bhlianta anuas. Ó shin i leith, ceapaim go bhfuil obair shuntasach déanta agam agus ag an bhfoireann iontach atá agam sa Roinn chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn agus pobal na Gaeltachta a neartú agus a fhorbairt. Is é seo an chéad uair le blianta nach bhfuil Catherine Connolly anseo mar Theachta Dála.”
“Déanaim comhghairdeas leis an gCeann Comhairle as a cuid Gaeilge. Tá sí ag éirí níos láidre. Ag cloisteáil na díospóireachta inniu, bhí sé suimiúil go raibh a lán daoine ag gabháil leithscéalta as a gcuid Gaeilge. Níl aon ghá leis sin. Is ceart go n-úsáideann muid í sa Teach seo agus sa Teach eile. Ba cheart go mbeadh muid in ann í a úsáid ar lá ar bith, ní hamháin le linn Sheachtain na Gaeilge. Déanaim comhghairdeas leis an dhá chlub Chumann Lúthchleas Gael, An Ghaeltacht agus Daingean Uí Chúis, as na buanna a bhí acu. I congratulate An Ghaeltacht agus Daingean Uí Chúis GAA clubs. I will be there on Thursday and Friday. Maybe I will pick up a few tips to bring back to Mayo on how to win an all-Ireland. Bhí sé iontach go raibh na captaein agus na buaiteoirí in ann óráidí a dhéanamh as Gaeilge i bPáirc an Chrócaigh.”
“Leis sin, gabhaim buíochas leis an gciorcal comhrá Gaeilge a bhíonn ann sa coffee dock gach mí. Tá sé tábhachtach go dtabharfaimid deiseanna go dtí na comhghleacaithe atá againn an Ghaeilge atá acu a úsáid mar tá Gaeilge ag gach duine. Tá Gaeilge ag an Leas-Cheann Comhairle freisin. Tá sé tábhachtach go mbaineann muid úsáid aisti. Tá an brú sin orthu mar dhaoine a bhfuil Gaeilge acu chun cuidiú leis na daoine eile. Sin an rud go mbeimid in ann difríocht a dhéanamh leis le haghaidh Sheachtain na Gaeilge. Ba bhreá liom dá mbeadh 20 duine sa Seomra seo ag úsáid Gaeilge an chéad bhliain eile. Bheadh sé sin iontach.”
“Táim féin agus an Rialtas seo tiomanta geallúintí an chlár Rialtais i leith fhorbairt agus neartú na Gaeilge agus pobail na Gaeltachta a chur i bhfeidhm agus leanfaimid orainn á dhéanamh sin. Gabhaim buíochas le Baill as cluas éisteachta a thabhairt dom inniu. Tá súil agam go mbeidh deis acu go léir taitneamh a bhaint as cuid de chlár Sheachtain na Gaeilge i mbliana. Tá sé tábhachtach go gcuidíonn na Gaeilgeoirí sa Chamber inniu lenár gcomhghleacaithe nach bhfuil anseo. B’fhéidir go bhfuil siad ag iarraidh a bheith anseo agus nach bhfuil an mhuinín acu le bheith anseo. Tá sé tábhachtach go bhfaigheadh gach duine a bhfuil Gaeilge aige an cuidiú agus an mhuinín chun an Ghaeilge a úsáid sa Seomra seo agus Seomra an tSeanaid, ní hamháin le haghaidh Sheachtain na Gaeilge ach gach seachtain.”
“Forbrófar samhail don tsáréifeacht i leith láidriú na Gaeilge – samhail is féidir le haon údarás áitiúil a leanúint trí thaighde, comhairliúchán agus scaipeadh forleathan an tsárchleachtais. Tá mo Roinn ag cur maoiniú os cionn €2.26 milliún ar fáil do Ghaeilge365 don tréimhse ceithre bliana ó 2025 go 2028. Tá an togra á chómhaoiniú ag údaráis áitiúla Bhaile Átha Cliath, rud a chiallaíonn go bhfuil os cionn €4.5 milliún á infheistiú ag an Stát sa tionscnamh seo. Tá obair shuntasach ar bun le tacaíocht an Rialtais, agus réimse leathan daoine, grúpaí agus eagraíochtaí ag obair go tréan chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn. Ina measc siúd tá pobal na pleanála teanga, na Ranna Stáit, Foras na Gaeilge, Údarás na Gaeltachta, na ceanneagraíochtaí, na húdaráis áitiúla agus na heagraíochtaí Stáit trí chéile.”
“As seo go 2028, beidh Gaeilge365 ag obair i dtreo ceithre mhórchuspóir sna ceithre údarás áitiúla i mBaile Átha Cliath - Comhairle Cathrach Bhaile Átha Cliath agus Comhairlí Contae Fhine Gall, Bhaile Átha Cliath Theas agus Dhún Laoghaire-Ráth an Dúin. Tá sé mar aidhm aige os cionn daichead tionscadal nuálach teangabhunaithe a fhorbairt sa bhliain. Cruthófar deiseanna labhartha Gaeilge trí sheirbhísí na gcomhairlí le líonraí láidir de nuálaithe teanga. Déanfar os cionn deich gcinn de na tionscadail nuálacha a fhréamhú sa bhliain i sruthanna oibre na gcomhairlí agus níos mó ná ocht dtionscadal sa bhliain a scálú le go bhfuil siad ag cur le deiseanna labhartha na Gaeilge i mBaile Átha Cliath. Déanfar plean teanga uaillmhianach a ullmhú do Bhaile Átha Cliath trí éiceachórais, ábhar foghlama agus sainscileanna a fhorbairt.”
“Is é Gaeilge365 an chéad aonad nuálaíochta a oibríonn trí mheán na Gaeilge sa tseirbhís phoiblí. Bhunaigh Comhairle Cathrach Bhaile Átha Cliath Gaeilge365 mar thionscadal píolótach in 2023 le tacaíocht airgid ó chlár Éire Ildánach, tacaíocht a bhí fíorthábhachtach le tús a chur leis an tionscnamh. Ba é aidhm an tionscadail phíolótaigh sin cur chuige nuálach a chur sa siúl ionas go gcruthófaí breis deiseanna don phobal an Ghaeilge a labhairt trí sheirbhísí Chomhairle Cathrach Bhaile Átha Cliath. Leis an gcur chuige nuálach a bhí ag Gaeilge365 ón tús, agus baill foirne ón gcomhairle cathrach trí chéile rannpháirteach ann, bhíothas in ann cruthaitheacht na Gaeilge a chur i láthair.”
“Rinneadh forbairt ar an scéim le blianta beaga anuas mar go bhfacthas go raibh gá ag leanaí a bhí á dtógáil le Gaeilge le tacaíocht bhreise maidir le saibhriú teanga agus tá tacaíocht ar fáil do suas le 160 scoil faoi láthair. Lasmuigh den seomra ranga, tá scéimeanna eile á maoiniú ag an Roinn, ar nós an chlár aclaíochta scoile faoi scáth Mhuintearais, agus clár na gcluichí Gaelacha i gcomhair le Comhairlí Cúige de chuid an CLG. Tá tábhacht ar leith ag baint leis na cláir seo mar go bhfuil siad ag spreagadh an aosa óig an teanga a labhairt agus iad i mbun spóirt agus spraoi. Tacaíonn scéim na gcampaí samhraidh leis an sprioc seo a bhaint amach freisin. Bíonn os cionn 170 campa éagsúil ar bun ar fud na Gaeltachta ar a bhfreastalaíonn os cionn 6,000 páiste Gaeltachta orthu seo.”
“Cuireann an clár seo maoiniú ar fáil d’Údarás na Gaeltachta chomh maith chun tograí straitéiseacha a fhorbairt, cosúil leis an ionad oideachais in Indreabhán. Cuirtear maoiniú caipitil ar fáil freisin do réimse eagraíochtaí pobal le háiseanna pobail a fhorbairt nó a athchóiriú, lena n-áirítear ionaid pobal agus spóirt agus áiseanna luathbhlianta. Tá scéim na gcúntóirí teanga á riar ag Muintearas, Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne agus Glór na nGael thar ceann na Roinne. Tá an scéim ar an bhfód ó 1992 chun cabhrú le leanaí atá ag freastal ar scoileanna i gceantair Ghaeltachta an Ghaeilge a shealbhú, agus ar Ghaelscoileanna i gceantair áirithe lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht.”