Full breakdown of Irish and Ulster-Scots funding set out by Stormont Minister

A full breakdown of the £6 million spent promoting Irish and Ulster Scots in Northern Ireland has been set out by a Stormont Minister.

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has now revealed how the money is allocated between various agencies and organisations who promote the languages.

He was asked for the figures at Stormont by the Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong, through a mechanism at the Assembly that allows MLAs to make certain requests in writing to the various Executive Ministers.

Mr Lyons’ response detailed the funding totals to the Ulster-Scots Agency, Foras na Gaeilge and other organisations from his Department.

Mr Lyons said the figures represent “funding supplied by DfC [Department for Communities] and National Museums NI which is a DfC ALB [Arms-Length Body]”.

He added: “The Irish Government provides additional funding to support both the Irish Language and the Ulster Scots Language, Culture and Heritage.”

The figures are as follows:

• Ulster-Scots Agency £2,000,000
• Ulster-Scots Development Programmes £103,000
• Foras na Gaeilge £3,600,000
• Irish Language Development Programmes £103,000
• Líofa £50,000
• Gaeltacht Quarter Economic Development Programme £136,000
• ALB Funding from National Museums NI £6,500 (Ulster Scots) & £10,550 (Irish)
• Total: £6,009,050