A new online resource has been launched in Scotland that is designed to help staff from the public sector to learn Gaelic. The £6,000 initiative has been trailed by staff at SNH, Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) and the Crofters Commission, who each contributed £1 300 to the project, but it will now be rolled out to other public sector organisations. The online `toolkit' has been developed by the Skye-based company Cànan and includes a series of introductory lessons and useful phrases that are aimed to help the civil servants in their job roles when dealing with the public. The Gaelic development agency, Bòrd na Gàidhlig's and the Gaelic Language Act Implementation Fund also provided funding for the project. At the launch of the toolkit in Inverness on Thursday (4th August 2011) was Alasdair Allan, the Scottish minister for Gaelic and Dinny McGinley, the Irish minister of state with special responsibility for Gaeltacht affairs. Alasdair Allan said at the launch: I am very pleased to see bodies which are key to Scotland's rural infrastructure working alongside Bòrd na Gàidhlig to widen opportunities to learn the language and about how it relates to the day-to-day work of the organisations. We are determined to secure a sustainable future for Gaelic, and the involvement of public bodies with a strong presence in rural Scotland, particularly the North East, is key to moving forward. Dinny McGinley said: This is an exciting and innovative programme that demonstrates the positive benefits that can accrue from public sector companies working together on a shared vision. I commend all who were involved in developing this project and I have no doubt that there are valuable lessons we can learn from it in Ireland as we pursue the common goal of promoting increased awareness and usage of our native Irish language. This article prepared for Celtic News by Rhisiart Tal-e-bot General Secretary Celtic League. For follow-up comment or clarification contact: Tel: 0044 (0)1209315884
M: 0044(0)7787318666 gensec [at] celticleague.net J B Moffatt (Mr)
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Celtic League 06/08/11