Minister opens childcare centre

The Minister of State for the Gaeltacht, Dinny McGinley, with children from An Cheathrú Rua, Galway's new Childcare Centre, Friday. The Minister performed the opening. Pic: Seán Ó Mainnín

"The Irish language is very much the community language in An Cheathrú Rua and developments such as this one are necessary in order to continually protect and strengthen the language"

An tAire Donnchadh Mac Fhionnlaoich

Ionad Cúram Leanaí na Ceathrún Rua opened by Minister of State, Dinny McGinley T.D.
Speaking at the official opening of the new childcare centre in An Cheathrú Rua on Friday 30 November, Dinny McGinley T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, said that centres such as these have an important role in supporting and advising families who are raising their children through Irish or who would like to do so. "The 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language emphasises the language planning process in the Gaeltacht and the family language support services available in this centre will be central to that process," the Minister of State said.
The centre houses a Naíonra, a crèche and an after-school service, in addition to other language-centred activities, and the Minister of State said that his is delighted that his own Department could provide assistance to the committee to develop this amenity. "The Irish language is very much the community language in An Cheathrú Rua and developments such as this one are necessary in order to continually protect and strengthen the language," the Minister of State said. He praised the committee who were responsible for the new centre and particularly the work currently being done for the benefit of the local community. He also thanked Údarás na Gaeltachta who provided the building on lease and who helped with the construction work.

At the offical opening of An Cheathrú Rua, Co Galway's new Chilcare Centre, Fridy were, from left: Councillor Catherine Connolly, Stiofán Ó Cúláin, CEO Údarás na Gaeltachta, Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh, Father Ciarán Blake, Parish Priest, An  Cheathrú Rua, Seosamh Ó Laoi, County Councillor;  Seán Kyne, TD;  Minister of State Dinny McGinley, who performed the opening; Mairéad Mac Con Iomaire Manager Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta Teo, Máire Uí Fhlatharta Childcare Centre Manager; Dairíona Nic An Iomaire, board member, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Sorcha Ní Chéilleachair Secretary Centre Support committee, Tina Uí Fhlatharta, treasurer, support committee. Behind to right:  Tomás Mac Con Iomaire Suppport committee chairman, Councillor Seán Ó Tuairisg and Seán Mac Donncha, member of the centre's management committee. Pic: Seán Ó Mainnín