Gaelic Language Plans

Bòrd na Gàidhlig can ask a public body to prepare a Gaelic language plan when it deems it appropriate under Section 3 of the Gaelic Act. Before asking a public body to prepare a plan, the Bòrd must look at how many people there are who may use the organisation’s Gaelic services, and what opportunities there would be for the organisation to expand the use of Gaelic in its work and services.

A Gaelic language plan is simply: a plan which gives Gaelic speakers the chance to use public services or engage with public bodies through the Gaelic language. The Plan shows what efforts the public body in question will make in order to ensure that Gaelic is given the same esteem as English in its work and services.

In a Gaelic language plan there must be reference to what steps are to be taken by the public body with regard to the use of Gaelic in its work and services. There must be a deadline set by which time those steps will be implemented, and there may have to be more information contained in the plan if the Scottish Ministers require the organisation to take further steps.

Preparing a Gaelic language plan

In preparing a Gaelic language plan a public body must take into account: the latest National Plan for Gaelic, the number of people who may make use of the organisation’s Gaelic services, the opportunities there would be for the organisation to expand the use of Gaelic in its work, any representations the organisation receives from people on the use of Gaelic in its work and services, and any guidance given by the Scottish Ministers.

Public bodies, in preparing a plan, must also consult any persons, who in the view of the public body, may have an interest in the plan. After consulting Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the Scottish Ministers may ask the organisation to take further steps. Ministers may give advice for a number of reasons.

The Bòrd asks an organisation to prepare a plan

When Bòrd na Gàidhlig asks a public body in writing to prepare a Gaelic language plan, the Bòrd must tell the organisation in question that they are obliged to prepare a Gaelic language plan under Section 3 of the Gaelic Act and that they must submit that plan to Bòrd na Gàidhlig. The Bòrd must give a submission date for that plan, and the organisation must be given at least six months to do so, starting from the date of the initial request. The Bòrd must also inform the organisation of their right to ask the Scottish Ministers to review the Bòrd’s request.

Appealing against a request to prepare a Gaelic language plan

For more information on appealing against requests from Bòrd na Gàidhlig to prepare a Gaelic language plan, see the Gaelic Act, Section 4.

Submitting a Gaelic language plan

When a public body submits a Gaelic language plan to Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the Bòrd may accept the plan or suggest that amendments should be made. The Bòrd will look at how the organisation’s plan fulfils the requirements of a Gaelic language plan and will take into account any guidance given to the organisation on their plan by the Scottish Ministers. The public body may accept the Bòrd’s recommendations, or they may give reasons why they do not agree with some or all of the Bòrd’s recommendations. If agreement cannot be reached between the Bòrd and the public body, the Scottish Ministers will be asked to intervene and find a solution. There is more information on this subject under section 5 of the Gaelic Act.

Assessing Gaelic language plans

After the Bòrd has accepted a Gaelic language plan, the Bòrd may ask a public body to submit a report 12 months, or later, after the date of the plan having been agreed; the organisation will have at least three months to submit that report. The report details how the organisation has met the aims of their Gaelic language plan. The Bòrd may ask public bodies to submit a report every 12 months if they deem it to be appropriate. If Bòrd na Gàidhlig thinks that a public body is not meeting the aims of its Gaelic language plan, they can submit a report to the Scottish Ministers. Scottish Ministers can ask the organisation to meet some, or all, of the aims of its Gaelic language plan, or the Scottish Ministers can lay Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s report before the Scottish Parliament. The Scottish Ministers will give the public bodies the opportunity to have their say before they come to a decision.

Review of Gaelic language plans

Public bodies must review their Gaelic language plans at least every five years, and that plan, with or without changes, must be submitted to Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

Specific Guidelines

Bòrd na Gàidhlig is required to draft guidelines for public bodies on Gaelic language plans and submit those guidelines to the Scottish Ministers.  The Bòrd must consult on the draft of these guidelines and must receive approval from the Scottish Ministers before publishing them.