The Language Planning Process officially began in Ireland with the introduction of the Gaeltacht Act 2012. This provided the legislative basis for the establishment of Irish Language Networks, Gaeltacht Service Towns and Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas.
More information about the Language Planning Process can be found here:
- Irish Language Networks
- Gaeltacht Service Towns
- Groups on the Irish Language Development Scheme
- Irish Language Centres
Irish Language Networks
An Irish language network is an area where a critical mass of public and state support for the Irish language has been achieved. Recognition under the Gaeltacht Act 2012 is given to Irish language networks once they have agreed language plans with the communities in those areas. These plans must fulfil the language planning criteria in order to be approved.
Gaeltacht Service Towns
A Gaeltacht service town is a town with a population of at least 1,000 that is located in, or near to, a Gaeltacht language planning area and that has a significant role in providing social, economic and leisure services to people in that area.
There are 16 Gaeltacht Service Towns in total, 13 of which are located outside of the Gaeltacht and 3 of which are inside of Gaeltacht boundaries.
Gaeltacht Language Planning Area
There are twenty-six Gaeltacht language planning areas named under the Gaeltacht Act 2012. The language planning process is taking place in them so that they can retain their status as Gaeltacht areas.
Údarás na Gaeltacht provides support and assistance to the Gaeltacht language planning areas . More information can be found at www.udaras.ie.
