Aithníonn Comhairle Ceantair Lár Uladh gur sochaí ilchultúrtha agus ilteangach í seo agus go bhfuil an Ghaeilge mar chuid lárnach d’oidhreacht teangeolaíochta, chultúrtha agus stairiúil an cheantair seo. Tá an Chomhairle tiomanta don Ghaeilge a chosaint agus a spreagadh. Aithníonn an Chomhairle gur léiriú í an Ghaeilge ar shaibhreas cultúrtha agus gur gá don Chomhairle an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn chun í a chosaint agus a neartú.
Is cáipéis é Beartas Gaeilge a leagann amach agus a threoraíonn straitéis, polasaithe, aidhmeanna, cuspóirí agus bearta na Comhairle i leith na Gaeilge. Chomh maith leis sin, míníonn sí na dualgaisí agus an reachtaíocht ábhartha riachtanach a luíonn taobh thiar de sin amhail An Chairt Eorpach um Theangacha Réigiúnacha nó Mionlaigh agus Chomhaontú Bhéal Feirste (1998).
Tá sé mar aidhm ag Comhairle Ceantair Lár Uladh gníomhú go diongbháilte agus go dearfach chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn, a fheabhsú agus a chosaint sa Chomhairle agus sa Cheantar. Seo a leanas na príomhchuspóirí a thagann as sin:
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Labhairt agus scríobh na Gaeilge a spreagadh sa Cheantar agus sa Chomhairle.
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Réimse tionscnamh a chur chun cinn a laghdóidh éadulaingt agus a chuirfidh chun cinn tuiscint ar an Ghaeilge sa Cheantar agus sa Chomhairle.
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Ainmneacha na mbailte fearainn a chaomhnú tríd an chomharthaíocht chuí a úsáid.
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An Ghaeilge a aithint agus a cheiliúradh i gcomhthéacs leathan den éagsúlacht teangeolaíochta agus chultúrtha sa Cheantar agus sa Chomhairle.
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Creat a chruthú inar féidir leis an Ghaeilge bláthú agus a bheith in úsáid ag gach duine ar mian leo sin;
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Forbairt agus foghlaim na Gaeilge a chosaint agus tacaíocht a thabhairt dó seo;
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Tuiscint is leithne ar an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn.
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Teagmhálacha a choinneáil agus a fhorbairt idir ghrúpaí a úsáideann an Ghaeilge le grúpaí eile a úsáideann an Ghaeilge agus/nó Ultais.
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Líon na ndaoine a bhfuil teacht acu ar an Ghaeloideachas a mhéadú;
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Líon na ndaoine a bhaineann úsáid as seirbhísí poiblí trí Ghaeilge a mhéadú;
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Teacht ar na meáin chumarsáide Ghaeilge a mhéadú.
Le haidhm agus cuspóirí na Comhairle i leith na Gaeilge a bhaint amach tá plean 4 bliana curtha i bhfeidhm ina bhfuil réimse gníomhartha bainteacha. Beidh seo le hathbhreithniú agus le meas agus le nuashonrú dá réir.
Is féidir cóip den Bheartas a iarraidh ach teagmháil a dhéanamh le hOifigeach Gaeilge de chuid na Comhairle.
Mid Ulster District Council recognises that we live in a multi-cultural and multi lingual society and that the Irish language is an integral part of the linguistic, cultural and historical heritage of this area. Mid Ulster District Council is committed to the protection and encouragement of the Irish Language. The Council recognises that the Irish language is an expression of cultural wealth and there is a need for the Council to promote Irish in order to help safeguard and strengthen it.
The Policy Document sets out and guides the Council’s Irish language strategy, policies, aims, objectives and actions. As well as that it explains the relative and imperative legislative commitments underpinning its policies such as The European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages and the Belfast Agreement (1998).
Mid Ulster District Council aims to take resolute and positive actions that will aspire to promote, enhance and protect the Irish language within the Council and District. The following are its main objectives emanating from that legislation:
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To encourage the use of Irish in both speech and writing within the District and Council.
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To promote a range of initiatives that will reduce intolerance and promote understanding of the Irish language across the District and within the Council.
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To preserve townland names through the use of appropriate signage.
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To recognise and celebrate the Irish language within the broader context of linguistic and cultural diversity across the District and Council.
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To create a framework where Irish can flourish and be shared by all who wish to use it;
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To protect and support the development and learning of Irish;
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To promote wider understanding of the background to the Irish language
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To maintain and develop links between groups using Irish with other groups using Irish and/or Ulster Scots.
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To increase the number of those who can access Irish medium education;
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To increase the number of those that use public services through the Irish language; and,
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To increase access to Irish language media.
In order to achieve the aims and objectives of the Council concerning Irish, a four-year plan, in which there is a range of related activities, has been implemented. This will be reviewed, evaluated and updated accordingly.
You can request a copy of the Council's Irish Language Policy from our Irish Language Officer.