Bòrd na Gàidhlig has announced its funding allocations for Gaelic organisations working to develop the language and culture.

A total of £1.5 million has been allocated to 12 organisations for projects ranging from pre-school Gaelic education to developing the language through music and training for tourism workers.

Minister for Gaelic, Linda Fabiani said:

“The Gaelic organisations play an essential part in the promotion of Gaelic in Scotland. I regularly come across their work and I am impressed with their commitment and the wide range of activity covered. It is right that this funding will support their ongoing work. 

“Gaelic is an essential part of our heritage and our modern cultural life and the Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that Gaelic has a strong and sustainable future.”

Bòrd na Gàidhlig Chief Executive, Kenneth Murray said:

“This funding allocation is a further endorsement of the excellent work being done by our partner organisations to grow the language.

“We are all determined to work together to implement the key objectives in the National Plan for Gaelic and to work to a clear set of agreed outcomes with a commitment to seeing real benefit and change delivered to Gaelic speakers, communities and organisations across Scotland.

“This money will go some way towards achieving these aims and we at the Bòrd look forward to working with our colleagues in the Gaelic organisations and others over the months ahead.”

The organisations receiving funding are:

 Archie Maclean, Director of Comunn na Gàidhlig said:

 “Comunn na Gàidhlig welcomes the Bòrd’s announcement on funding for 2008/09 and looks forward to working closely with the Bòrd to help deliver some of the aims and aspirations in the National Plan.  

 “The next few years are critical to the survival and development of the language but we are confident that the recent decline in the number of Gaelic speakers in Scotland can be reversed.  We are grateful to the Bòrd and to the Government for their support to Comunn na Gàidhlig, and for their continuing comittment to the language.”

 Magaidh Wentworth at National Parental Officer, Comann nam Pàrant said:

 “Growth in Gaelic medium education is a priority identified in the National Plan for Gaelic and this funding for Comann nam Pàrant which we receive through Comunn na Gàidhlig will enable us to continue working in co-operation with the Bòrd to fulfill our main aim; the advancement of Gaelic medium education.

 “The funding will allow us to progress the work of our organisation and our current priorities for Comann nam Pàrant which are; increasing awareness of and number of entrants to Gaelic medium education mainly through a network of parental advocates, supporting the demand for and explore opportunities to increase provision through dedicated Gaelic schools and continue to seek improvements in provision in secondary schools.”

 DJ MacIntyre, Director of Clì Gàidhlig said:

 “Clì Gàidhlig as an organization looks after the needs of the adult Gaelic learner. We are delighted as an organization to receive the funding that will help us develop further the services we provide.

 “It is refreshing to see that Bòrd na Gàidhlig acknowledges the vision Clì Gàidhlig has for the future of adult learning and that is reflected in the funding assistance given.

 “This money will assist Clì Gàidhlig in setting out our ambitions and with guidance from Bòrd na Gàidhlig through the National Plan we can achieve our aims for the future.”

 Andy Macdonald, Centre Manager, Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle said:

 “Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle is delighted to be playing its part in the implementation of the National Plan for Gaelic. There is a lot of work for us to do and the financial support that Bòrd na Gàidhlig provide is essential at this stage of our development.”

Bòrd na Gàidhlig is the statutory Gaelic Development Agency, established under the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 to promote Gaelic both in Scotland and abroad. The Act, which was commenced in February this year, requires the Bòrd to prepare a National Plan for Gaelic to establish a strategic approach to the development of the language and its culture.