McGlone: Reform’s attack on Irish shows what a Farage future means for the North

Posted on by pete baker

SDLP Irish Language Spokesperson Patsy McGlone MLA has condemned proposals from Reform UK that would effectively criminalise the use of Irish on election materials, saying they expose the party's ignorance of Northern Ireland and offer a stark warning about the direction of politics at Westminster under Nigel Farage. Reform UK has tabled an amendment to … Continue reading McGlone: Reform’s attack on Irish shows what a Farage future means for the North

AQW 35943/22-27 – Criteria for the appointment of the members of the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression

Posted on by pete baker

Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister, pursuant to AQW 35070/22-27, to detail why testing in Irish language proficiency did not form part of the selection criteria for the appointment of the members of the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression. First Minister and deputy First Minister: Following … Continue reading AQW 35943/22-27 – Criteria for the appointment of the members of the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression

AQW 35070/22-27 – Board of the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression and Irish language

Posted on by pete baker

Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the number of members of the Board of the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression who are competent in the Irish language. [Priority Written] First Minister and deputy First Minister: Testing in Irish Language proficiency did not form part … Continue reading AQW 35070/22-27 – Board of the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression and Irish language

McGlone welcomes growth of Scoil Spreagtha scheme

Posted on by pete baker

SDLP Irish Language Spokesperson Patsy McGlone MLA has welcomed the growth of the Scoil Spreagtha scheme. The group has announced recruitment plans as part of its growth and development in 2026. Mr McGlone helped Irish language organisation Gael Linn secure funding to continue the scheme which provides Irish language teaching in schools across the North. … Continue reading McGlone welcomes growth of Scoil Spreagtha scheme

McGlone welcomes appointment of language commissioners

Posted on by pete baker

SDLP Irish Language Spokesperson Patsy McGlone MLA has welcomed the appointment of Irish Language and Ulster Scots Commissioners. Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone said, “I welcome confirmation that the ongoing uncertainty has now ended and that the language commissioners will soon take up their posts. It is typical of this Executive that, five years after … Continue reading McGlone welcomes appointment of language commissioners

McGlone welcomes £100k funding to save Scoil Spreagtha scheme

Posted on by pete baker

SDLP Irish Language Spokesperson Patsy McGlone MLA has welcomed £100,000 in funding to save the Scoil Spreagtha scheme. The scheme, run by Irish language group Gael Linn, supports Irish language lessons in schools across the North. The funding will allow the scheme to continue for another year, followed by an evaluation. Mid Ulster MLA Patsy … Continue reading McGlone welcomes £100k funding to save Scoil Spreagtha scheme

McGlone: DUP motion on Irish Language signage “deeply cynical and divisive”

Posted on by pete baker

SDLP Irish Language Spokesperson Patsy McGlone MLA has said that the DUP's failed attempt to overturn Belfast City Council's bilingual signage policy in Stormont was a "deeply cynical and divisive move". The DUP motion, debated in the Assembly on Monday, sought to scrap Belfast City Council's dual language street sign policy - a scheme that … Continue reading McGlone: DUP motion on Irish Language signage “deeply cynical and divisive”

AQW 23509/22-27 – Extra funding for Foras na Gaeilge

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Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail what has been done by their Department to match the extra funding required for Foras na Gaeilge. First Minister and deputy First Minister: No budget has yet been set for Foras na Gaeilge. We understand that Department for Communities … Continue reading AQW 23509/22-27 – Extra funding for Foras na Gaeilge