Cross-Border Irish-language body Foras na Gaeilge has abandoned its controversial “new funding model” following a board meeting in Gaoth Dobhair, Co Donegal.
The body said on Friday it would not proceed with the “new funding model” but would instead try to find an alternative solution to “restructuring” the Irish-language sector while “co-operating” with other language groups.
The announcement marks a major reversal in policy for Foras na Gaeilge, which had been promoting the proposal as an alternative to the core funding of Irish organisations.
It wanted to replace the current practice of giving financial aid to established organisations to carry out work and introduce a scheme-based system which would have seen interested parties tender for projects.
Language-planning experts and the groups affected had criticised the plan as unworkable.
Foras na Gaeilge has now decided to give grants of €6.7 million to groups until June 2013 while it looks at other possibilities to replace the abandoned funding arrangement.
