13 May 2025

SDLP Irish Language Spokesperson Patsy McGlone MLA has welcomed a meeting between the Education Minister Paul Givan and Gael Linn.

Mr McGlone facilitated the meeting and attended alongside Gael Linn to discuss funding for the Scoil Spreagtha scheme.

The scheme, which supports schools in teaching Irish is set to end in June 2025 due to a lack of funding.

Mid Ulster MLA Mr McGlone said:

“I welcome the constructive engagement between the Education Minister and Gael Linn on the future of the Scoil Spreagtha scheme. I reached out personally to the Minister to arrange this meeting and appreciate him engaging with us in good faith. While we received no firm commitments from the Minister today, he has agreed to look again at what funding options may be available and I hope he will recognise the huge value of the Scoil Spreagtha scheme.

“Gael Linn put forward a passionate and detailed case for the continued funding of this scheme which enables thousands of pupils across the North to learn the Irish language every year. We have heard directly from schools and the pupils themselves about how highly valued this programme is and how it enriches the educational experience. We know the huge benefits that learning a secondary language brings in other subjects and it would be a real shame for young people to miss out on this.

“Schemes like Scoil Spreagtha are vital to the renewal and growth of the Irish language and the Executive and Education Minister have a duty to make Irish accessible to all who want to learn. I am committed to doing everything possible to ensure this important programme continues for years to come.”