The maintenance and development of Irish as a living language in Gaeltacht communities and its transmission to future generations is imperative to Údarás na Gaeltachta. An tÚdarás recognises the importance of introducing the Irish language as early as possible to children and therefore have always promoted and underlined the importance of Irish in pre-schooling and childcare facilities.

 

There are now over 1,000 pre-school children attending more than 78 naíonraí (pre-schools) throughout the Gaeltacht. To ensure that Gaeltacht communities have access to quality childcare through the medium of Irish. An tÚdarás has approved a childcare support scheme. Under this five year programme An tÚdarás plans to facilitate the development of up to 20 childcare/family service centres in various Gaeltacht areas between now and 2006.

 

Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta Teo is a company limited by guarantee which has recently been launched to promote, finance and administer the Irish language pre-school movement in the Gaeltacht. The company has enlisted its members from all the Gaeltacht naíonraí (Gaeltacht Irish language pre-schools).