Training for Language Act provided by new postgraduate course at DCU
27 April 2004

Pictured at the launch is from left, Blathnaid Ni Ghreachain, Fiontar, DCU, Donla ui Bhraonain, Fiontar, DCU.

A new postgraduate course was launched today which will provide training on how to implement effectively the Official Languages Act 2003.

From October 2004, students will be accepted on the Certificate/Graduate Diploma/MA in Bilingual Practice, which is being provided by FIONTAR, Dublin City University under the programme INTERREG IIIA Ireland/Wales. FIONTAR is the national centre for enterprise education through Irish.

The Official Language Commissioners of Ireland and Canada launched the new programme in Dublin this morning at the offices of Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, the umbrella body for Irish language voluntary groups.

The Irish Commissioner, Seán Ó Cuirreáin, announced that from May 1 2004, public bodies will be legally obliged to increase significantly their services in Irish to the public. `From that day on, they will have to publish their annual reports and important documents simultaneously in both official languages', he said.

Ó Cuirreáin congratulated FIONTAR on their new course. `I am delighted that the office of the Official Languages Commissioner is co-operating with this new course in FIONTAR. To mark this co-operation, I am announcing the annual award `The Language Commissioner's Prize' (€1,000 and a gold medal) which will be presented to the best research project'.

`I am very grateful for the co-operation with the office of the Commissioner of Official Languages of Canada', Ó Cuirreáin added. `We have a great deal to learn from their experience of promoting bilingualism in the civil service for the past thirty years'.

`Providing training to public service employees on the requirements of the Official Languages Act, as well as on the basic principles of linguistic equality, is an essential step in establishing government services that are both efficient and attuned to the needs of its citizens', said Dr Dyane Adam, Commissioner of Official Languages of Canada at the launch.

The Acting Director of FIONTAR, Dr. Peadar Ó Flatharta, said that applications were now being accepted and that they expected high demand for the course. `Some of the modules will be available on-line, which means that people can partake in the course from anywhere in Ireland through the Internet', he said. `Although the course is aimed at those who are responsible for implementing the Official Languages Act, it is appropriate for anyone interested in linguistic diversity'.

Further information on the course available from:
Dr. Peadar Ó Flatharta
FIONTAR
Dublin City University
Dublin 9
Tel: (01) 7007590
Email: fiontar@dcu.ie
Web: www.dcu.ie/fiontar

Copy of the Official Languages Act 2003 available at:
http://www.pobail.ie/en/IrishLanguage/OfficialLanguagesAct2003/Legislation/