This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Gaelic College on Skye
15/05/2006
Scotland's Gaelic college - Sabhal Mòr Ostaig - at Sleat on Skye is to recieve a £3.5 million long-term funding package from the Executive.
Education Minister Peter Peacock, who has ministerial responsibility for Gaelic, said:
"Scotland is rightly proud of its past but we are also a country with a flourishing future. I want the Gaelic language and culture to be part of that future, not just destined to become a historical curiosity.
"Our ambitious plans for Gaelic language and culture need somewhere like Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, a national centre where Gaelic can be developed and promoted. Sabhal Mòr Ostaig is a high quality unique institution embracing education, arts and culture and economic development activity. It is a key centre for ideas and innovation within Gaelic.
"That's why I'm delighted that we have been able to strengthen the college's financial situation with this funding package, designed to support the college's ambitions for, and work towards, Gaelic development. Sabhal Mòr Ostaig has an extremely important contribution to make both to the promotion of Gaelic in Scotland and to the economy of the Highlands and Islands."
Deputy First Minister and Lifelong Learning Minister Nicol Stephen said:
"The Gaelic language is a vital part of Scotland's past and a key element of our future. Sabhal Mòr Ostaig has an important role to play in providing valuable support, not only for fluent Gaelic speakers but also for learners.
"I am delighted that the Executive's lifelong learning programme is helping support these developments.
"This will allow the college look to the future, build on its successes and meet the challenges of tomorrow."
In December 2004, Scottish Ministers approved a £900,000 grant to strengthen the college's financial position. To help the college continue to operate on a secure financial footing, Ministers also provided financial assistance towards the cost of an external review of the college's finance and governance.
The review was conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers and they reported to Ministers in August 2005, providing options for future levels of funding and activity.
The new £3.5 million funding agreed by Ministers is broadly consistent with the most ambitious of the funding options identified by PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Over half of the extra cash will come from resources earmarked for further and higher education, with the remainder coming from other education budgets.
Within the current Spending Review period Sabhal Mòr Ostaig will receive an extra £755,000 in 2006-07 and £800,000 in 2007-08. Ministers will aim to further increase that figure to £950,000 in 2008-09 and £950,000 in 2009-10. This funding is in addition to the core funding provided by the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council.