Tá sé ráite ag an Seanadóir Niall Ó Donnghaile gur chóir moladh a thabhairt do mhuintir na Gaeltachta thuaidh agus theas agus lucht eagraithe na gColáistí Samhraidh as an cheannaireacht chróga atá léirithe acu;
“Níl duine ar bith nach bhfuil an ghéarchéim sláinte is déanaí tar éis dul i bhfeidhm orthu. Tá an saol mar a bhí athraithe anois.
“Tá pleananna agus spriocanna, imeachtaí teaghlaigh agus sóisialta curtha ar athló. Tá sé fógartha anois go bhfuil na Coláistí Samhraidh ar fud Éirinn curtha ar ceal i mbliana.
“Meastar go ngineann na Coláistí Samhraidh E50 milliún don gheilleagar Gaeltachta. Is cailliúint tubaisteach é seo do mhuintir na Gaeltachta agus do na Mná Tí a bheas thíos toisc nach mbeidh daltaí ar bith ag stopadh leo.
“Is cinntí cróga atá déanta le cosaint a thabhairt dóibh siúd is leochailí sa phobal agus ag teacht leis an chomhairle oifigiúil. Tá moladh tuilte acu as an chinneadh siosmaideach seo.
“Leoga, tá géarghá anois le cosaint chuí do na mná tí agus na Coláistí Samhraidh féin. Oibreoidh Sinn Féin ó thuaidh agus theas le brú ar a chur ar an Aire Cultúrtha/Gaeltachta na cosaintí cuí a chur i bhfeidhm.
“Ní mór pacáistí cearta maoinithe a chur ar fáil do na mná tí agus dp na coláistí féin le go mbeidh siad in ann íoc as árachas agus araile.
“Beidh fáilte mhór roimh athoscailt na gColáistí ar an bhliain seo chugainn, ach tá géarghá anois go ndéanann an tAire Sean Kyne beart dá réir briathar don Ghaeilge agus do Phobal na Gaeltachta.’
Sinn Féin Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile has said Gaeltacht Communities and the organisers of Irish language summer colleges deserve praise for their leadership in cancelling this years courses, as a result of the Covid19 crisis.
Speaking today Niall Ó Donnghaile said;
“There isn’t anyone who hasn’t been impacted by this crisis. Life as we know is changed.
“Our plans and proposals, many family, sporting and social events, have all been postponed. It has now also been announced that summer courses in Gaeltachtaí throughout Ireland have also been cancelled.
“It is estimated that the college courses bring €50million to the Gaeltacht economy each year. This is a devastating loss to the people of the Gaeltacht and in particular to na Mná Tí who won’t have any students staying with them this year.
“This brave decision has been taken to protect people and to adhere to the official guidance – I commend all those who’ve taken this important move.
“There is now an urgent requirement to support na Mná Tí and the colleges themselves. Sinn Féin will work north and south to ensure ministers put the necessary protections in place – a funding package is required to ensure that the colleges and na Mná Tí are able to get through this unprecedented summer.
“There will no doubt be great excitement for the colleges reopening next summer, but the crucial thing at this point in time is that Minister Seán Kyne adheres to his commitment and delivers for the language and the people of the Gaeltacht.”
