4. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to outline the way in which he is supporting Údarás na Gealtachta to address an ghéarchéim tithíochta sna ceantair Ghaeltachta; and whether he intends to use his powers as Minister for the Gaeltacht, under section 9(a) of the Housing (Gaeltacht) (Amendment) Act 2001, to devise and implement housing schemes in order to support Irish speakers to build, buy or renovate houses in Irish-speaking parts of the Gaeltacht. [9039/26]

Sentiment score: 0.23

The housing crisis in the Gaeltacht is having a specific damaging effect on these communities and our language. Tá an ghéarchéim tithíochta na ceantair Ghaeltachta ag cur todhchaí na Gaeilge mar theanga bheo i mbaol. It is putting our language in danger. Young people are being forced to leave. Will the Minister set out how he is using his powers as the Minister responsible for the Gaeltacht under section 9 to help Údarás na Gaeltachta to deliver homes and ensure the future of our language and our Gaeltachtaí?

Sentiment score: -0.21

I thank the Minister for his response. I welcome the engagement on housing. While housing comes under a different Department, we cannot separate the future of the Irish language from the housing crisis in Gaeltacht areas. As the Minister knows, there is a particular emergency there. This morning, there were ten properties to rent in Connemara on daft.ie, while Airbnb had 573. Young people are being forced out of Gaeltacht communities. It was reported by the One Million Homes project this morning that 12,000 homes are needed in Gaeltacht areas. We have had presentations by the GAA about how it cannot field teams. Housing is the core issue for Gaeltacht communities. I have met with BÁNÚ and Conradh na Gaeilge, as has the Minister. More needs to be done. Údarás na Gaeltachta could be playing a much bigger role in ensuring housing is available for young people, thereby ensuring the future of our language.

Sentiment score: 0.02

I appreciate the Minister's focus on this issue. It is wonderful to see. I am one of the people coming back to the language agus ag foghlaim an teanga arís. Within that, people need to understand that while there is this great revival, the places where the language is alive, where we think of it as having its origins and being capable of being sustained, are, in fact, in serious danger. I have spoken to young people who are being forced to leave those areas. This is a particular emergency in Gaeltachtaí. I urge the Minister to do all he can to fast-track support and funding for an t-údarás and the local authorities in order that the young people who are cainteoirí na Gaeilge can stay in their communities and, from there, we can regrow the language of our country. The Gaeltachtaí are the heart and core of the solution. It is the contention of Conradh na Gaeilge and BÁNÚ that the future of the language is in danger if the specific housing crisis in Gaeltacht areas is not addressed. The market will not solve those housing issues because it is not profitable for the private sector. The State must lead on this and support these communities.

Sentiment score: 0.06