All currently operating policies relating to the Irish Language.
Table of Contents
15 GA 1 Seimineár Gaeilge/ Irish Language Seminar
Aithníonn an Chomhdháil:
An tábhacht a bhaineann le Cumainn Ghaelacha ar dul chun cinn na Gaeilge, agus in úsáid na
Gaeilge i gColáistí tríú leibhéal ar fud na tíre.
Sainordaíonn an Chomhdháil:
Leas-Uachtarán Ghaeilge seimineár bhliantúil a heagrú, i bpáirt le heagraíochtaí eile, agus Roinn
na dTeangacha in Institiúidí Oideachais, agus béim speisialta a chuir in earnáil na Gaeilge, Meáin na Gaeilge, agus gníomhaíocht i saol na Gaeilge.
Congress Notes:
The importance that Cumann Gaelacha have in the usage, and promotion of Irish in 3rd level institutions across the country.
Congress Mandates:
The LU Gaeilge to organise an annual seminar, in conjunction with other organisations, and Language Departments in Educational Institutions, 3rd Level Students, with special emphasis on the Irish Language sector, Irish Language Media, and Irish Language Activism.
15 GA 2 Comhdháil na Mic Léinn Ceilteach/ Celtic Students Conference
Aithníonn an Chomhdháil:
An tábhacht a bhaineann le comhoibriú le grúpaí seachtrach ach go háirithe NUS Alba agus NUS
Cyrmu, i gcur chun cinn na teanga
Sainordaíonn an Chomhdháil:
Leas-Uachtarán na Gaeilge, obair leis na grúpaí seachtrach seo, chun smaointe a roinnt, chun
comhdháil na Mic Léinn Ceilteach a thabhairt go hÉireann don chéad uair, agus chun na Cumann
Gaelacha a bheidh lárnach san obair seo ar fad.
Congress Notes:
The importance that collaborations with external organisations, in particular NUS Alba and NUS Cyrmu, in the development of the Irish Language.
Congress Mandates:
The LU Gaeilge to work with these external organisations, to share ideas, to bring the Celtic Language Conference to Ireland for the first time ever, and to ensure that Irish Language societies are central in all this work.
15 GA 3 Gaeltacht Fees
Congress notes
The publication of An Chomairle Mhúintoireachta’s report of the Gaeltacht Placement Working
Group, and the consistent focus on the importance of Gaeltacht placement to Student Teacher’s
experience.
Congress Further Notes
The reports recommendations as regard to the funding of this aspect of a student teachers training,
and the Socio-economic barrier that has been created as a result of the decision to withdraw
Government funding, and as a result students must incur upwards of €1,500 in fees to partake in
Gaeltacht placements.
Congress Mandates
The Vice-President for AAQA and Leas-Uachtarán Gaeilge to lobby the department of Education and
Skills to implement the recommendations of this report.
15 GA 4 Seachtain na Gaeilge
Congress notes
The importance social events have on the ability for student to practice, and use whatever Irish
they have.
Congress Mandates:
The LU Gaeilge to organise an annual Seachtain na Gaeilge festival, in conjunction with Conradh
na Gaeilge, in the last week of February, as a special stand alone event prior to the National Seachtain na Gaeilge.
14 G 1 JUNIOR CERTIFICATE REVIEW
Congress notes:
The Education Minister, Ruairí Quinn, is currently reviewing the Junior Certificate as a means of examining pre-Leaving Certificate students. All subjects are currently being assessed, and new curricula being developed.
Congress also notes:
The inefficiency of the Irish Language curriculum in teaching students Irish, and in particular to students in Gaeltacht areas, who are forced to learn the language in the same way as those not fluent.
Congress mandates:
Officer Board, in particular the LU Gaeilge and the VP AAQA, to lobby the Minister, and his Department, to introduce a two stream system of Irish subjects:
A mandatory communicational stream, and an optional literary subject to cater for more advanced students.
14 G 2 IRISH LANGUAGE CAMPAIGNS
Congress notes:
The newly ratified memorandum of association between USI and Conradh na Gaeilge, which will not only strengthen the Irish Language campaigns run buy the USI, but it will also ensure that USI will be a prominent stakeholder in Conradh na Gaeilge campaigns.
Congress mandates:
That the LU Gaeilge continue the Irish Language Rights campaign currently being rolled out at the moment.
14 G 3 NEW IRISH LANGUAGE POLICY
Congress notes:
That there is a need to re-examine the current USI Irish Language Policy.
Congress mandates:
VP Irish Language to convene a panel to develop and, and present a reassessed Irish Language Policy at a National Council in the First Semester of 2014/2015.
14 G 4 MANDATE LU GAEILGE TO CONTACT NUS & NUS/USI TO BUILD A LONG TERM RELATIONSHIP
Congress notes:
The beneficial aspects of a long-lasting relationship to be built between language officers of NUS Wales and NUS Scotland.
Congress mandates:
The LU Gaeilge to develop a relationship with the NUS Language Officers, with a view to developing a role for an NUS-USI Oifigeach na Gaeilge.
13 G 1 COISTE NA GAEILGE AG COMHAIRLE NÁISIÚNTA/IRISH LANGUAGE COMMITTEE AT NATIONAL COUNCIL
Aithníonn an Chomhdháil:
An buntáiste a sholáthar cruinnithe de Choiste na Gaeilge a tionóladh ag an gComhairle Náisiúnta do Oifigigh na Gaeilge ónar thosaigh siad i mbliana.
Congress notes:
The benefit meetings of the Irish Committee at National Council have afforded Irish Language Officers since its introduction.
Aithníonn an Chomhdháil ar lean:
Go dtugann na cruinnithe céanna deis gréasánaíochta do na hOifigigh na Gaeilge mar aon le deis chun ceisteanna a chur go díreach ar an Leas Uachtarán don Ghaeilge ag an gComhairle Náisiúnta.
Congress further notes:
That meeting at National Council has given Irish Language Officers a chance to network with each other, as well as a chance to directly question the VP for the Irish Language at National Council.
Creideann an Chomhdháil:
Go leanfaidh ar an gcleachtas seo ag cabhrú le obair Leas Uachtarán don Ghaeilge mar aon le Oifigigh na Gaeilge go náisiúnta má cheadaítear do leanúint ar aghaidh.
Congress believes:
That this practice will continue to benefit the work of the VP for the Irish Language and Irish Language Officers nationally if it is allowed to continue.
Sainordaíonn an Chomhdháil:
Leas Uachtarán don Ghaeilge le leanúint ar aghaidh ag tionól Coiste na Gaeilge, ag an gComhairle Náisiúnta, ar bhonn gach dhá mhí ar a laghad sa bhliain acadúil amach romhainn.
Congress mandates:
The VP for the Irish Language to continue to convene Irish Language Committee, at National Council, on at least a bi-monthly basis, in the coming academic year.
13 G 2 POLASAÍ GAEILGE AMLÉ/ USI IRISH LANGUAGE POLICY
Aithníonn an Chomhdháil:
Go bhfuil polasaí dátheangach ag AMLÉ le fada an lá, le úsáid na Gaeilge san Aontas a mhéadú.
Congress notes:
The long-standing existence of a bilingual policy within USI, introduced in an effort to increase the use of Irish within the Union.
Aithníonn an Chomhdháil ar lean:
Go bhfuil athruithe agus forbairt tar éis teacht ar an Aontas féin ónar cuireadh tús leis an bpolasaí sin.
Congress further notes:
The transition, and development of the Union itself since the introduction of that policy.
Glacann an Chomhdháil mar sin:
An Polasaí Ghaeilge formhuinithe ag Comhairle Náisiúnta AMLÉ ar 23/05/12 mar polasaí oifigiúil AMLÉ
As such Congress adopts:
‘The Irish Language Policy endorsed by USI National Council on 23/05/12’ as official policy of the USI.
13 G 3 OIFIGEACH NA GAEILGE AG GACH AONTAS/IRISH LANGUAGE OFFICER IN EVERY UNION
Aithníonn an Chomhdháil:
Go bhfuil difir faoi leith idir na Baill-Eagraíochtaí le Oifigigh na Gaeilge agus iadsan gan Oifigeach ó thaobh gníomhaíocht Gaeilge de.
Congress notes:
The differing levels of Irish Language activity between MO’s where there is an Irish Language Officer on the ground, and those where there is not.
Aithníonn an Chomhdháil ar lean:
Go bhfuil an líon feachtais Gaeilge atá eagraithe ag Oifigigh na Gaeilge méadaithe le roinnt blianta anuas, agus an forbairt ginearálta den Ghaeilge in AMLÉ.
Congress further notes:
The increased number of Irish Language campaigns rolled out by Irish Language Officers in recent years, and the overall development of the Irish Language within USI.
Molann an Chomhdháil:
Obair na hOifigigh Gaeilge sna champais, Tuigtear gur iadsan atá mar chúis leis an athrú atá tagtha ar an nGaeilge san Aontas.
Congress applauds:
The work of Irish Language Officers on campuses, and lauds them as the key to the changing fortunes of the Irish Language within the Union.
Sainordaíonn an Chomhdháil:
Leas Uachtarán don Gaeilge le obair leis na Baill Eagraíochtaí nach bhfuil Oifigeach na Gaeilge acu agus scrúdú a dhéanamh ar an bhféidearthacht níos mó Oifigigh na Gaeilge a chruthú i dteannta le Baill Eagraíochtaí áitiúla.
Therefore congress mandates:
The VP for Irish Language to work with MO’s where an Irish Language Officer does not exist and examine the feasibility of introducing more Irish Language Officers in partnership with local MO’s.
13 G 4 FÓRAM NA GAEILGE/ IRISH LANGUAGE FORUM
Aithníonn an Chomhdháil:
Go n-eagraíonn an Leas Uachtarán don Ghaeilge Fóram deireadh na bliana de na Cumainn Gaelaigh atá mar chuid de AMLÉ.
Congress notes:
That the VP for the Irish Language annually convenes an end-of-year meeting of USI-affiliated Irish Language Societies.
Aithníonn an Chomhdháil ar lean:
go bhfuil obair na grúpaí seo seo mar croí-lár an ualach oibre atá ag an Leas Uachtarán don Ghaeilge i gcaitheamh na bliana.
Congress further notes:
That contributions made in this forum make up a significant part of the work of the VP for the Irish Language during the year.
Mar sin Sainordaíonn an Chomhdháil:
Leas Uachtarán don Ghaeilge ceisteanna tábhachtacha nó ábhair buartha do Phobail na Gaeilge a thagann chun cinn le linn an Fóram seo a thabhairt chuig an Comhairle Náisiúnta nó/ agus an Comhdháil Náisiúnta le bheith faobhaithe.
As such Congress mandates:
The VP for the Irish Language to submit issues of concern and/ or importantce to the Irish Language Community where they arise in the course of this forum to national council/and or congress for consideration/ approval.
13 G 5 COISTE NA GAEILGE AG COMHAIRLE NÁISIÚNTA
Congress recognises:
The good work done by Coiste na Gaeilge in co-ordinating the efforts of Irish Language Officers in member organisations
Congress notes:
That the continued presence of Coiste na Gaeilge at the different national councils is to the benefit of both USI, Member organisations and the national Irish Language community.
Congress mandates:
That going forward Coiste na Gaeilge be assembled at each National Council.
13 G 6 OIFIGEACH NA GAEILGE AG GACH AONTAS/ IRISH LANGUAGE OFFICER IN EVERY UNION
Congress recognises:
The central importance played by Irish Language officers in those member organisations with an Irish Language Officer.
Congress notes:
The need for an Irish Language Officer in each member union to enhance the image of the language in the Union and ensure an Irish Language element to each aspect of the work done by the Student Union.
Congress mandates:
That the Vice President for Irish Language in USI will work towards ensuring the presence of an Irish Language Officer at the officer board of each member union.
13 G 7 GAELSCOLAÍOCHT IN ÉIRINN
Congress recognises:
The increase in the demand for Irish Language medium education at Primary and Secondary level.
Congress notes:
That the amount of Irish language medium schools currently in existence and in the plan for new schools by the department of Education and Skills does not accurately reflect the demand for Irish Language Education in Ireland.
Congress mandates:
The Vice President for Irish Language and USI officer to lobby the department of
Education and Skills for recognition of the increased demand for Irish Language Medium Education in all future plans for the development of new schools in Ireland.
13 G 8 GAEILGE AS A REQUIREMENT FOR ENTRY INTO 3RD LEVEL EDUCATION
Congress notes:
The importance of an Gaeilge as our National language, and its significance to our cultural Identity.
Congress also notes:
A reform of the Leaving Certificate points system as being the primary method of entry into 3rd level education in the State, may be advantageous in assuring further equality in access to education.
Congress notes with concern:
The teaching of Irish in the second level education system would be in danger if it was not needed for certain third level entry.
Congress mandates:
For USI, and VP Gaeilge in particular, to fight for the continued requirement of Irish for entry into universities that are part of the National University of Ireland in the State.
Council further mandates:
For VP Gaeilge to seek the support of the national Irish Language organisations to campaign/lobby for the continued requirement of Irish for entry in to universities that are part of the National University of Ireland.
12 IL 1 SUPPORT OF TEACHING THROUGH IRISH
Congress recognises:
The special status of the Irish Language in the National University of Ireland, Galway and also the special recognition of the language in the USI.
Feictear don Chomhdháil seo:
Go bhfuil meath leanúnach ag tarlú bliain i ndiaidh bliana ar líon na n-ábhar a mhúintear trí Ghaeilge ar phríomh champas Ollscoil na hÉireann Gaillimh. Anuas air sin, tá imeallú fisiciúil agus tíreolaíochta ag tarlú don Ghaeilge, tá sí á brú amach go dtí campais an Acadaimh sa Ghaeltacht agus de réir a chéile tá sí le cluinstin níos lú agus níos lú i hallaí léachta an phríomh champais. Cé go bhfuil líon mór scoláirí ag déanamh staidéir trí Ghaeilge sna campais Gaeltachta, is cúrsaí de chineál eile ar fad atá iontu siúd agus tá an teanga á ruaigeadh amach as na daonnachtaí agus na heolaíochtaí i gcampas chathair na Gaillimhe.
Congress opposes:
The move away from teaching through Irish on the main campus in NUIG over recent years, and furthermore the USI commits to supporting all campaign efforts to retain and restore the teaching of academic subjects through the Irish language.
Congress notes:
That under the 1929 University College, Galway Act NUIG has a special responsibility towards teaching in the native language. While it is no longer a requirement of the University to give priority to Irish speakers when recruiting academic staff, it is none the less required to support, promote and expand on the teaching of academic subjects through Irish.
Congress therefore mandates:
The USI Oifigeach na Gaeilge to campaign on this issue and to support the NUIG Irish language community and SU Oifigeach na Gaeilge in this campaign, within the next year.
Congress furthermore mandates:
The President to raise this concern on the board of the HEA within the next year.