Gaelic Development
Gaelic is a living language and part of the diverse culture of Scotland. The language is a key part of the cultural identity of Scotland and especially of the people of the Highlands and Islands. The Scottish Government is providing practical support for it
Bòrd na Gàidhlig - the development agency
The Report of the Ministerial Advisory Group, "A Fresh Start for Gaelic", was published in May 2002 and Scottish Ministers announced that a Gaelic Development Agency would be established.Bòrd na Gàidhlig( Alba) was established in 2003.
The Bòrd has a crucial role in determining the priorities for Gaelic development in Scotland.The Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005created Bòrd na Gàidhlig in statute with new functions and responsibilities.
Gaelic Funding Programme
Scottish Ministers have demonstrated their commitment to Gaelic by including significant increases for Gaelic development in Spending Review 2007. Their aim is to create a sustainable future for Gaelic in Scotland and in order to achieve this Ministers realise it is essential to make urgent progress in all the key areas of Gaelic activity.
An extra £7.5m has been allocated to key areas of Gaelic development during the period of the latest Spending Review. There will also be a capital allocation of £2m for Gaelic projects.
As result we are now spending:
• Gaelic-medium education £5.6m
• Bòrd na Gàidhlig £5.5m
• Gaelic Broadcasting £12.4m; and
• Sabhal Mòr Ostaig £1.25m.
Progress
• The Gaelic Language Act was given Royal Assent on 1 June 2005.
• Bòrd na Gàidhlig published the National Plan for Gaelic, this provides a blueprint for the future development of Gaelic in Scotland.
• There has been a growth in Gaelic-medium education since it started in 1986.. A provision in Standards in Scotland's Schools etc Act 2000 requires Local Authorities provide an account of GME in their areas and how they will develop that provision
• There continues to be progress with dedicated Gaelic schools across the country.
• There is now a range of measures in place to encourage people to take up a career in Gaelic teaching.
• Good progress has been made with Gaelic broadcasting. Additional support has been provided by the Scottish Government and discussions between MG ALBA and BBC have produced a dedicated Gaelic service which is currently available on satellite and FreeSat services. It will also be available on cable and some content is available on the BBC iPlayer . The Scottish Government is committed to supportingMG ALBAin securing Freeview carriage forBBC ALBA
• Action groups have been set up to address a range of education issues, such as teacher recruitment and development of the secondary curriculum.
• The Scottish Government continues to support the Gaelic college, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig
• Argyll and Bute Council, Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar, Edinburgh City Council, Glasgow City Council, Highland Council, Scottish Parliament and HIE have produced Gaelic Language Plans which are at various stages in their development . Bòrd na Gàidhlig have issued a further 8 notices to Scottish Public Authorities asking them to produce a Gaelic Language Plan, with more to follow.
• The Scottish Government Gaelic Language Plan has been agreed by the Strategic Board and Cabinet and will issue on consultation during January 2009.
• The Scottish Government supports Bòrd na Gàidhlig with a Gaelic Parents Advocacy Scheme. This promotes Gaelic education and offer support to parents.
• The Scottish Government announced additional capital support amounting to £2.6m, in years 2009-10 and 2010-11, to assist local authorities with building renovation and construction costs for dedicated Gaelic schools in next two financial years.
• There is an increase in Gaelic arts activities.
• The annual National Mod continues to be very successful.