16 hours ago
Bòrd na Gàidhlig to fund 27 jobs in officer language scheme
In February last year, it was reported that three people would lose their jobs at Bòrd na Gàidhlig, with the Gaelic development officer scheme also being scrapped, when ministers cut £354,000 from the organisation's budget.
Almost 30 Gaelic development officer positions were set to be lost.
After much anger from campaigners and ministers themselves, Bòrd na Gàidhlig — and the Scottish Government — reversed the decision to cut the posts in early April 2024.
Now, the body has announced the allocation of funding for Gaelic officers through a new round of the scheme. Bòrd na Gàidhlig will support 27 posts across a range of organisations as they undertake Gaelic development work in communities across Scotland.
READ MORE: Jenny Gilruth 'not content' about Bòrd na Gàidhlig job cuts proposals
Several groups will now benefit from multi-year support from the scheme for the first time.
The scheme was reopened in May and closed to new applications in June.
A range of changes were made to the previous scheme, including further support and professional development for Gaelic officers. Bord na Gàidhlig received 44 applications from a wide range of charities, with a mix of previously-supported organisations and new bodies seeking support.
Successful applicants to the scheme had to meet a range of criteria and outline how they would deliver against the key priorities set out by Bòrd na Gàidhlig, including supporting the everyday use of Gaelic in communities, supporting Gaelic centres and events, developing community Gaelic language plans and supporting partnership working across organisations delivering Gaelic services.
The Scottish Government has confirmed £510,000 in funding for 2025–26, supplemented by £90,000 from Bòrd na Gàidhlig, to finance the scheme and enable multi-year roles.
Ian MacMillan, director of development at Bòrd na Gàidhlig, said: 'Bòrd na Gàidhlig is delighted that officers funded through this scheme will now be working to make a positive impact on Gaelic in their communities. These officers will make a clear and visible difference through their activity and engagement.
"We are looking forward to seeing an increase in partnership working as we enable organisations to build connections to deliver across our communities.'
Depute First Minister Kate Forbes (above) said: 'This £600,000 investment in the Gaelic Officer initiative aims to help Gaelic to thrive in traditional areas like the Western Isles and Skye. Gaelic Officers enrich communities and support activities which bring economic benefits to Scotland.
"To support Gaelic's growth, our Scottish Languages Bill will strengthen the rights of parents to ask for a Gaelic school to be established in their area and introduce targets on the number of people speaking Gaelic.'
The new legislation specifies that the Scottish Government must promote Gaelic and Scots education in schools, while giving ministers powers to set standards on the languages within education.
