Government slammed for decline in Irish speakers

THE reduction in the number of Irish speakers within the Cork Gaeltacht is a direct result of the failure of Fine Gael led government to invest in these communities and support the Irish language over the past five-years.

That’s according to Cork North West Fianna Fail TD Aindrias Moynihan, who said Census 2016 had revealed the number of Irish speakers in the region had dropped from 982 to 872, a reduction of 11%, since Census 2011.

“This has come as a devastating blow to those living in Cork who cherish the Irish language and want it to become a living, working language in our country,” said deputy Moynihan.

He said the increase in the number of parents seeking to have their children educated through Gaeilge was evidence of the widespread public support for the language.

“However, the reduction in Irish speakers revealed by the latest census has wiped away the progress made between 2006 and 2011. We are back where we started, and Fine Gael in government has a lot to answer for,” said Deputy Moynihan.

He said the “systematic reduction” in funding for services within Gaeltacht areas had “directly undermined” the viability of these communities.

“Ireland is not unique in having a native language that is under threat. However, we unique in having a government that doesn’t cherish it in the way it should. Wales, for example has reversed the decline in its native language, so why can’t Ireland?”

“We are running out of time to preserve the language and secure the future viability of our Gaeltacht communities,”