Write a commentNewry, Mourne and Down, Councillor Barra Ó Muirí has spoken about his excitement at the prospect of a new Scéim Sparántachtaí na Gaeilge/ Irish Language bursary scheme which would have a budget of £30K giving bursaries of up to £300 to people from Newry, Mourne and Down to help with the cost of attending Irish language courses, including Gaeltacht courses.
The scheme has been proposed by the Irish Language Strategy Implementation Working Group, and has passed the first, committee stage of Strategy, Policy and Resources.
Cllr Ó Muirí commented that the Irish Language Working Group felt that the best way to promote the Irish language was to support people who were trying to further their knowledge of it.
"There are scores of young people from South Armagh alone heading to Gaeltacht courses in Donegal each summer, and by providing these bursaries, the financial burden often placed on parents, will be partially alleviated."
The Scheme still has to pass through full Council at the start of March but if passed it could be launched during Seachtain na Gaeilge.
Ó Muirí ar bís faoin Scéim Sparántachtaí nua.
Labhair Comhairleoir Shinn Féin Barra Ó Muirí faoin áthas atá air go bhfuil Scéim Sparántachtaí nua molta ag an Grúpa Oibre Traspháirtí um Strairéis na Gaeilge, agus aontaithe ag an Choiste Straitéise, Polasaí agus Achmainní.
Is í aidhm na Scéim Sparántachtaí ná cuidiú a thabhairt do dhaoine a gcuid scileanna a fheabhsú le scolaireachtaí nó sparántachtaí a chur ar fáil le haghaidh chúrsaí Gaeilge, cúrsaí Gaeltachta, dianchúrsaí agus cúrsaí tríú léibhéil a mbíonn ar siúl le linn bliana airgeadais 2018-2019.
Tá Ó Muirí dóchasach go seolfar an Scéim le linn Seachtain na Gaeilge, agus dúirt sé go raibh sé an-sásta go raibh an Chomhairle ag obair go díogriseach leis an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn. Bhí moladh aige fosta don ghrúpa oibre traspháirtí as an sár-obair atá ar bun acu.
