Loophole precludes Presidential appointee from resolving problems!

An Coimisinéir Teanga is appointed by the President of Ireland on the advice of the government following a resolution passed by the Houses of the Oireachtas recommending the appointment. The current Coimisinéir Teanga is Rónán Ó Domhnaill appointed by President Michael D O'Higgins in 2014.

The Annual Report of An Coimisinéir Teanga for 2015 shows that the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources contravened a statutory language obligation during the rollout of the national postcode system, Eircode. This single issue attracted the highest ever volume of complaints since the establishment of the Office in 2004. 

Click Image to see larger version of Stats Histograms

Statistics The largest number of complaints (34.6%) related to the implementation of commitments made by public bodies in statutory language schemes agreed under section 11 of the Act. There was a decrease from 25.7% to 21.6% in the percentage of the complaints relating to the use of Irish on public bodies’ signage and stationery, in accordance with the Regulations under subsection 9(1) of the Act. There was a decrease in the percentage of complaints relating to a breach of the provisions of other enactments concerning the status or use of Irish, from 3.8% to 1.5%.  Of course, complaints relating to the use of Irish on road signs belong by right to this category, but this is generally provided as an independent figure: 8.3% of complaints related to the use of Irish on traffic signs, a small increase on last year’s figure (7.2%). The obligations on roads authorities in respect of road traffic signage are set out in the Traffic Signs Manual.

Most complaints to the Office related to names, surnames and addresses having been translated to English versions, during the rollout of the Eircodes. This occurred despite the fact that the complainants concerned generally used their name and address only in Irish. An Coimisinéir Teanga held that the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources contravened a statutory obligation regarding Gaeltacht placenames when Eircodes were sent to householders in the Gaeltacht with the addresses in English. 

Stymied by loophole!

An Coimisinéir Teanga, Rónán Ó Domhnaill, said when publishing the Annual Report today, that “having one’s identity recognised in one’s official language of choice is a fundamental right”. He stated that his Office receives a substantial number of complaints in relation to people’s difficulty in using their name and address in Irish with various state organisations. An Coimisinéir Teanga pointed out that this illustrates the glaring need to amend the legislation in order to protect the use of a person’s name and address in the country’s first official language and that the proposal made by his Office more than five years ago on the matter should be implemented. Due to this loophole in the legislation, An Coimisinéir Teanga was unable to satisfactorily resolve the complaints relating to people’s names and surnames being translated to English when the Eircodes were delivered. 

Serving English speakers only

On a separate matter, An Coimisinéir Teanga referred to the very low number of posts with an Irish language requirement that are being identified by Government Departments. An Coimisinéir Teanga said that, in light of this approach, serious questions arise in relation to the State’s willingness to provide services of the same standard in Irish and in English. He said that action should be taken now to strengthen the Official Languages Act in line with recommendations arising from the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht, from the public consultation process, from presentations made by him to Oireachtas committees on the implementation of the Act, and from the commentary published by the Office on the operation of the Act’s provisions. 

“The increase of 6.5% in the number of complaints and the increase of 79% in the number of advices to public bodies in the last year demonstrates that the language needs of the Irish speaking community in accessing State services need to be properly catered for”, said Rónán Ó Domhnaill.

@CeartaTeanga

The "B" spot - a new APP for parents and other learners!

Leagan Gaeilge

For the past year Forbairt Naíonraí Teoranta, in conjunction with Annertech, have been developing an app called BunGhaeilge. This app will be based on the phrase book BunGhaeilge do Thuismitheoirí agus Feighlithe Leanaí – that was being published by ITE up until 2007 when FNT acquired the publishing rights. The app has been designed in accordance with the structure of the phrase book, that is separated into chapters by theme; ‘Morning time’, ‘The Naíonra’, ‘In the shop’, ‘In the Garden’ for example. Even though this book is aimed primarily at families who wish to use cúpla focal whilst going about their daily activities, FNT believe that this app is useful for all language learners, especially in helping with pronunciation.

App users will have the opportunity to listen to every phrase in the book and to repeat them. A standardised version of the app will be released at first, though FNT plan to release versions in all major dialects in the near future. BunGhaeilge will be available to download free of charge from the Android store from May 15th, and from the Apple store from the start of next month.

According to FNT Chief Executive Clíona Frost, ‘There’s a new resource available for anyone who wishes to use Irish as the everyday language in the family. This app, through the medium of new social media, provides a unique opportunity for the global community to come easily access the Irish language. This app demonstrates great progress in the promotion of the Irish Language.’

Geoff Gray, a parent who wishes to add to his Irish vocabulary store commented, “Finally there is a user friendly app, based on everyday Irish. I can use the app on the go when I’m out with my daughter and my use of Irish has greatly increased since I downloaded BunGhaeilge to my phone. Maith sibh FNT!”

200% rise in new Naíonraí

Over 200% Rise in Naíonraí Year on Year With 18 New Naíonraí opening.

This story in Irish "Glúin nua!"

18 new Naíonraí in September 2010 that will be opening their doors for the first time this year. This figure is up on last year’s figure of 5 new Naíonraí.

The Naíonraí in question are as follows:-

• Naíonra Links, Portmarnock, Dublin
  

• Naíonra Céimeanna Beaga, Artane, Dublin
  
• Naíonra Tír na nÓg, Stoneybatter, Dublin
  
• Naíonra Páistí na Beatha, Swords, Dublin
  
• Naíonra Links, Drumcondra, Dublin
  
• Naíonra Bogha Báistí, Inchicore, Dublin
  
• Naíonra na Seanscoile, Lucan, Dublin.
  
• Naíonra Montessori Matters, Lucan, Dublin.
  
• Spraoi Chill Mhantáin, Rathnew, Co. Wicklow.
  
• Naíonra Bhóín Dé, Newbridge, Co. Kildare.
  
• Naíonra Boisíní, Leixlip, Co. Kildare.
  
• Naíonra Spraoi le Chéile, Leitrim, Co. Leitrim.
  
• Naíonra Jigsaw, Waterford.
  
• Naíonra Bóthar na Modhfheirme, Cork.
  
• Naíonra Pobail an Sciobairín, Skibbereen, Co. Cork.
  
• Naíonra Bellview Woods, Killarney, Co. Kerry.
  
• Naíonra Ghuaire, Gorey, Co. Wexford.
  
• Naíonra an Choillín, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.

Forbairt Naíonraí Teoranta’s (FNT) Chairperson, Máire Uí Bhriain said: ‘This is a huge step forward. There has been an enormous increase in the number of Naíonraí and the number of children attending Naíonraí services. These childcare services provide support for parents who would like to use the Irish language with their children as well receiving high quality childcare for their children.’

Clíona Frost, CEO of Forbairt Naíonraí Teoranta said: ‘We wish the new Naíonraí, and their Stiúrthóirí the best of luck. We also wish the children and their parents’ all the best on this proud day as they set off on this important journey. We also wish each and every Naíonra that is reopening well for the new school year as they continue to provide excellent childcare through Irish.’

Forbairt Naíonraí Teoranta is an all-Ireland voluntary organisation which supports the promotion of education and care services in Irish for children from birth. Forbairt Naíonraí Teoranta provides support to help start up, establish and maintain the follows services through Irish immersion: crèches, Naíonraí, school-age services, summer camps agus parent/guardian and toddler groups.

FNT is grant aided by Foras na Gaeilge and the Office for the Minister of Children and Youth Affairs.