Iontaobhas na Gaelscolaíochta - The Trust Fund for Irish Medium Education

TACA

TACA the Irish language lottery that raises funds on behalf of Irish language projects in the north, will commence funding programme for Naíscoileanna throughout Ulster for the second year running.

The small grants programme has a fund of £15,000; TACA will be awarding five awards of £3000 to the successful projects. Pat Keenan, manager of TACA says ‘This is the second year of this grant programme, and this year the grant been increased by 50%. The impact of the grants last year was highly impressive with Naíscoil Ard Mhacha, Naíscoil Uachtar Tíre, Naíscoil na Speiríní, Naíscoil Ard Eoin, Naíscoil an tSratha Báin; all receiving £2,000. Iontaobhas na Gaelscolaíochta also received £20,000. We are working to secure additional funding for the future years. This year’s awards will be to support the pre-school sector, because despite being crucially important to the growth of the language it is also the most poorly funded and we think this money could make a significant difference to the successful applicants.

The theme of this years inaugural scheme is still; activities designed to enhance the experiences of the children through play, learning, music, physical activity, art and/or enhance the Irish language ability of the children.’ All applications should be submitted before the deadline; 9th November 2009. The successful applicants will be announced before Christmas and presented with their awards at an event held in the Cultúrlann in Belfast on 10th December 2009, along with the presentation of other funding raised by TACA over the course of the last year.

Pilib Ó Ruanaí of Iontaobas na Gaelscolaíochta welcomed the news of additional funding for the sector.

TACA’s fundraising is an important part of the effort to support and develop Irish medium education. This funding comes from the pockets of ordinary people who are making a statement that the Irish language is important to them and should be nourished and supported.

This money is raised by TACA from donations from the 300 plus subscribers who donate monthly to TACA as well as from the money which comes from the sale of scratch cards and from collection boxes from shops and small businesses throughout the north.

TACA welcomes application via e mail or by post from all naíscoileanna from the nine counties of Ulster.

Contact: eolas@taca.ie or

Pat Keenan, TACA, An Chultúrlann,
216, Bóthar na bhFál, Béal Feirste,
BT12 6AH

Applications must be received by 9/11/2009 and may be no longer than 400 words. Applications will only be accepted on the application form from naíscoileanna in Ulster.

The application must be signed by chairperson of the committee. Funding criteria: enhancing the experiences of the children through play, learning, music, physical activity, art and/or enhance the Irish language ability of the children.’