Cáinaisnéis 2027

Since the foundation of the State, there has never been adequate ambition in funding the Irish language or the Gaeltacht and more than 100 years on, the language is still not a priority.

Only 0.11% of state expenditure in the south is spent on Irish language and Gaeltacht schemes through the Department of the Gaeltacht (which includes expenditure by the Department of the Gaeltacht, Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge). Matters are even worse in the north, where baseline funding for the Irish comes to roughly 0.024% of state expenditure.

Budget Day 2027 is approaching in the south, and we are looking for equality for our language. We need your help to impress upon the government that the public wants fair and appropriate funding for the Irish language and the Gaeltacht.

Please fill in your details below and an email will be sent on your behalf to your local Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael TDs. A copy will also be sent to: Minister for Finance Simon Harris, Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers, Minister for the Gaeltacht Dara Calleary, and Minister for Culture and Communications Patrick O’Donovan.

Your name:

Your email address:

Select your constituency:

The email text:

A TD, a chara,

I am writing to you as my local TD, and as a member of a party currently in Government, to ask you to put pressure on the relevant Ministers on my behalf to ensure that a significant increase is provided for the Irish language and the Gaeltacht in Budget 2027.

I understand that the Government provided a significant additional increase for the Irish language and the Gaeltacht in Budget 2026. This increase helped to fill some gaps in the funding of Irish language and Gaeltacht organisations, and it enabled some additional work that will contribute to the use of Irish. That extra support is welcome.

However, as the Government said at the time, that was only the beginning.

Only around 0.17% of State expenditure is spent on the Department of the Gaeltacht and TG4 combined. In my view, this reflects a funding baseline that is far too low. Below are a few key points that illustrate the problems with the current low baseline:

Twenty years ago, the Arts Council was receiving 2.5 times the funding that Foras na Gaeilge was receiving. In 2026, the Arts Council is receiving seven times the funding that Foras na Gaeilge receives.
In 2008, Údarás na Gaeltachta had a capital budget of €25.5 million. In 2026, Údarás na Gaeltachta has a capital budget of €16.2 million (36% less).
S4C in Wales receives more than €100 million per year. Although TG4 has the same role, the station receives only €65.5 million.

Could you please, on my behalf and on behalf of the promotion of the Irish language in our constituency, speak directly with the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, with the Minister for Public Expenditure, Jack Chambers, and with the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Simon Harris, and ask them to provide an additional €57.7 million for the Department of the Gaeltacht and for TG4 in 2027, as recommended by Irish language and Gaeltacht organisations and in line with the recommendations of the Plean Fáis, which more than 130 Irish language and Gaeltacht groups have endorsed?

A breakdown of the additional funding being sought is available at this link: www.cnag.ie/seas26

I would also welcome feedback from you on the outcome of your discussions with the relevant Ministers.

Go raibh maith agat,

[your name]

[your email address]

[your constituency]

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