Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD and Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Hildegarde Naughton TD have today launched a new online learning hub at NUI Galway to provide an integrated, publicly-available resource on sexual consent awareness and consent learning resources. This initiative builds on the work of the pioneering Active* Consent research team in NUI Galway and comes as part of a Government initiative to improve the understanding on the meaning of, and importance of, consent in sexual activity. At the heart of this partnership will be a dedicated website, populated with resources that have already been developed by the Active* Consent team for the third level sector, as well as newly-designed resources supported by this project. Launching the initiative, Minister Harris said: “No part of our society is untouched by sexual violence and harassment. People need to be safe, empowered, confident, and capable in their relationships and Ireland can take a leading role in confronting sexual violence and harassment. The work being done in our higher education sector on Consent can be a positive educator for other areas, and this online learning hub will provide an important resource not only for our higher education institutions, but also for a wider community. “For higher education students, the programme available through the hub reflects the three levels of the Active* Consent online programme – a consent workshop based on the team’s research; an eLearning resource on consent, sexual violence and harassment; and ongoing social media engagement into topics such as disclosure that links to students’ social media platforms. “For higher education staff, the three tiers of engagement available on the hub will provide awareness raising on definitions, skills, and student support practices; education for decision makers and leaders on how they can support lasting culture change; and in-depth training for those involved in consent education, support for student disclosures, and policy implementation.” The Department of Justice will fund the Active* Consent research team at NUI Galway to create the online learning hub, and is partnering with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science on this important initiative. Minister Naughton, speaking at the launch in NUI Galway, said: “There can be no place for any forms of sexual violence and harassment in our society, and there can be no room for doubt or ambiguity on the meaning and importance of consent. “We must improve people’s understanding of what consent is, and what healthy consent looks like. This initiative will be an excellent resource for the third level sector and beyond. “It is an important commitment in Supporting a Victim’s Journey, the Department of Justice roadmap to improve the justice system for victims and vulnerable witnesses in sexual violence cases, and will contribute to our national campaign on consent later this year.” NUI Galway President, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, said: "NUI Galway is delighted to partner with the Department of Justice and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science on this excellent initiative. At the heart of NUI Galway’s values are respect and openness. By championing respect and openness through initiatives such as the online learning hub, we can have a profound and sustainable transformative impact on society. We look forward to supporting this initiative and all who participate." Dr Padraig MacNeela, Active* Consent Programme Co-Lead, NUI Galway, said: “The online learning hub is based around the idea of ‘consent literacy’ for all members of our society. This means that people feel confident in their knowledge and understanding of consent, their communication skills with partners, how to access supports themselves or help others to do so, and how we can safely challenge unacceptable aspects of our culture. “We will work with our partners such as Galway Rape Crisis Centre and Rape Crisis Network Ireland to create the resources we need to have a culture of consent in our colleges, schools, and communities.” See short video on Active* Consent - Sexual Violence and Harassment: How to Support Yourself and Your Peers, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG4OcQfYhs4&t=1. -Ends-

- Status of the Irish language in the University to be strengthened reinforcing its bilingual campus status - Inaugural Irish Language Officer to be appointed - New building and space for the Irish Language Community - Irish Language Residency Scheme to be redeveloped - 20% of professional staff will have the ability to conduct business through Irish NUI Galway has launched its inaugural Irish Language Strategy. A Strategy for the Irish Language 2021-25 was officially launched today (16 July 2021) by Dr Máire Geoghegan Quinn, newly appointed Chair of the University’s Governing Authority and former government minister and European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science. The strategy sets out an ambitious vision to bring the University’s bilingual campus to life and to set out a path for truly bilingual culture, through operational policies, governance structures and empowering its communities to be champions of the Irish language. The strategy was developed by the newly established Irish Language Strategic Committee chaired by President of NUI Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, with wide participation from both internal and external membership to the University. The Strategy identifies five main themes: Academic Affairs, Administration Affairs, Space and Resources, Student Affairs, and the Public at Large. President of NUI Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, said: “Here at NUI Galway we are fite fuaite with our Irish language and Gaeltacht communities, and the Irish language is a central and deep part of our identity and our lives. It is our value as a university community to respect our diverse communities, both in the University and in our hinterland, to be open to the outside world and to be committed to the sustainability of culture and community. The Irish language is a core aspect of this respect, of this openness and sustainability. This is no burden – it is a privilege and a distinctive advantage for us and our community. “NUI Galway is a leader in Ireland and, consequently, internationally in developing Irish language teaching, research and initiatives and, with that, an exemplar at home and abroad in terms of fostering close ties with language communities, especially Celtic and minority languages. That is the chance and the challenge that lies ahead.” Key measures in A Strategy for the Irish Language 2021-25 include: Space and Resources: This Strategy will commit to addressing space provision for the Irish language community on campus proposing the construction of a new building; further develop the Irish Language Residency Scheme to boost the Irish speaking community as a living community; and language hubs for the Irish language will be created and maintained on the Galway campus while a student-owned social space will also be developed. Administrative and Management Structures: The University will appoint an Irish Language Officer who will have overall responsibility for driving the University’s vision for the Irish Language; ensure that ‘the Irish language in the University’ be a standing item on the Governing Authority agenda and also commit to hosting meetings in the Gaeltacht centres; implementation of new policy where there is now a requirement in respect of all units to provide customer services through the medium of Irish; implement a scheme whereby the Irish language as a skillset is officially recognised in recruitment processes; and 20% of professional staff will have the ability to conduct business through Irish. The Use of Irish in the University: Establish a University Interpretation Service; Ensure that students are able to deal with the University’s administrative system through Irish from the beginning to the end of their study programme; and design and implement a new art scheme focusing on the placement of the Irish language across the campus. Academic Affairs: Expand the offering of teaching through Irish and facilitate the development of ambitious, transformative research projects in the discipline; and investigate the options in relation to the offering of interdisciplinary modules through Irish. The Community: The network of University Gaeltacht Centres has supported the promotion of the Gaeltacht community for over 20 years, and they are prepared to capitalise on opportunities arising from the State’s 20-Year Plan for the Irish Language and the amendment to the Official Languages Act. The University is at the forefront in the provision of Irish language training to student teachers in Ireland, and has excellent researchers in the fields of sociolinguistics, language planning and communications. Dr Máire Geoghegan Quinn, commented: “NUI Galway has a rich Irish language heritage and a worldwide reputation for Irish language scholars, writers, actors, journalists, politicians and broadcasters who have served on this historic, innovative campus for over a century and more.     “The Irish language has always had a particular advantage here at NUI Galway in terms of location and community. It was understood from the outset that it was in the interests of our language, the Gaeltacht and our University to foster and strengthen this relationship between us, which was done. “This is the only university located on the doorstep of the Gaeltacht, the well of the living language. This unique location and our Gaeltacht Centers, in the Gaeltacht itself, give us the opportunity to develop that connection with the Irish language in innovative ways. This new Strategy lays a new, stable and integrated basis for the Irish language in all aspects of the life and work of the University and I welcome it. “The Irish language was not seen as a statutory duty or a burden to be borne reluctantly but as a faithful, central part that goes to the heart of the institution and all parts of it. That was and will always be the case.” The strategic priority areas and key objectives outlined in A Strategy for the Irish Language 2021-25 stemmed from the discussions and debates held at meetings of the Irish Language Strategic Committee; the various sub-committees comprised of internal and external members, including the student voice; and feedback from the overall University community following public consultation. The overall ethos of the working groups was that the vision and strategy be ambitious, so that the Irish language, which is at risk, can be promoted in University life, in the Gaeltacht community and in the Irish language community. Professor Pól Ó Dochartaigh, NUI Galway Deputy President and Registrar, said: “This strategy is ambitious and is imbued with a vision of hope for the development and fostering of a sustainable bilingual environment. This strategy reinforces the message that NUI Galway’s Irish Language Strategy is an inclusive strategy and that everyone in the University has ownership of it, regardless of their language ability. “Recognising the unique and influential role our university plays in our region’s society and economy, we plan to work with businesses, organisations and networks across the west of Ireland to ensure that our university is positively serving our region.” Strategy Implementation The Irish Language Strategic Committee will establish an Irish Language Strategy Implementation Committee from its membership to support the implementation of A Strategy for the Irish Language 2021-25. A full implementation plan will be developed, addressing each of the strategic priority areas to include deliverables, timeframe, ownership and dependencies. The Deputy President and Registrar will pay particular attention to monitoring the progress of the plan and the achievement of strategic objectives and goals and will provide a progress report to the Governing Authority on an annual basis. The University is committed to executing its statutory responsibilities under the Irish Language Act and the Irish Language Strategy Implementation Committee shall also have regard to the University’s established language schemes and its responsibilities, under the University College Galway (Amendment) Act (2006), to promote university education through the medium of Irish. Read in full A Strategy for the Irish Language 2021-25 at http://www.nuigalway.ie/gaeilgebheo/ -Ends-

- Déanfar neartú ar stádas na Gaeilge agus daingneofar stádas dátheangach an champais - Ceapfar an chéad Oifigeach Gaeilge - Cuirfear foirgneamh nua agus spás ar fáil do phobal labhartha na Gaeilge - Déanfar athfhorbairt ar Scéim Cónaithe na hOllscoile - Beidh 20% den fhoireann phroifisiúnta ábalta a gcuid gnó a dhéanamh as Gaeilge   Tá céad Straitéis na Gaeilge seolta ag Ollscoil na hÉireann Gaillimh. Sheol an Dr Máire Geoghegan Quinn, iar-Aire Rialtais agus Iar-Choimisinéir na hEorpa ar Thaighde, Nuálaíocht agus Eolaíocht, atá nuacheaptha mar chathaoirleach ar Údarás na hOllscoile, Straitéis na Gaeilge 2021-25 go hoifigiúil inniu (16 Iúil 2021). Leagann an Straitéis amach fís uaillmhianach le beocht a chur i gcampas dátheangach na hOllscoile agus le bealach a leagan amach do chultúr iomlán dátheangach, trí polasaithe oibríochta, struchtúir rialachais agus bealach a thabharfaidh cumhacht dá cuid pobail tacú leis an nGaeilge. D’fhorbair Coiste Straitéiseach nuabhunaithe na Gaeilge, ar a bhfuil Uachtarán na hOllscoile, an tOllamh Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh ina chathaoirleach, an Straitéis, le rannpháirtíocht fhorleathan ó bhaill inmheánacha agus sheachtracha na hOllscoile.  Sa Straitéis, aithnítear cúig phríomhthéama:  Gnóthaí Acadúla, Gnóthaí Riaracháin, Spás agus Acmhainní, Gnóthaí na Mac Léinn agus an Pobal i gCoitinne. Dúirt an tOllamh Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, Uachtarán na hOllscoile: “In Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh, táimid fite fuaite i bpobail Ghaeilge agus Ghaeltachta, ar leac agus i gcroílár na Gaeltachta. Is cuid lárnach, dhomhain dár bhféiniúlacht agus dár saol í an Ghaeilge. Tá sé mar luach againn mar chomhluadar ollscoile go mbeidh ómós againn dár bpobail éagsúla, san Ollscoil agus sa cheantar máguaird, go mbeimid oscailte don saol lasmuigh agus muid tiomanta don inbhuanaitheacht. Is gné lárnach den ómós seo, den oscailteacht agus den inbhuanaitheacht chultúrtha agus chomhluadair í an Ghaeilge. Ní haon ualach í seo ach luach agus buntáiste agus muid sa domhan mór. "Tá OÉ Gaillimh chun cinn in Éirinn agus, dá bharr, go hidirnáisiúnta maidir le teagasc, taighde agus tionscnaimh Ghaeilge a fhorbairt agus, leis sin, mar eiseamláir sa bhaile agus i gcéin maidir le dlúthchaidreamh a chothú le pobail teanga, teangacha Ceilteacha agus mionteangacha go háirithe. Sin í an deis agus an dúshlán atá romhainn.” I measc na bpríomhbhearta i Straitéis na Gaeilge 2021-25 tá: Spás agus Acmhainní: Dearbhaítear sa Straitéis go dtabharfar aghaidh ar sholáthar spáis trí fhoirgneamh nua a thógáil do phobal labhartha na Gaeilge ar an gcampas.  Déanfar tuilleadh forbartha ar Scéim Cónaithe na Gaeilge, le haghaidh pobal labhartha na Gaeilge a neartú mar phobal beo.  Cruthófar agus déanfar forbairt ar mhoil teanga ar champas na Gaillimhe, chomh maith le spás sóisialta faoi úinéireacht na mac léinn a bhunú. Struchtúir Riaracháin agus Bainistíochta: Ceapfaidh OÉ Gaillimh Oifigeach Gaeilge, agus beidh dualgas iomlán ar an té sin as fís na hOllscoile ó thaobh na Gaeilge de a thiomáint.  Cinnteofar go mbeidh ‘an Ghaeilge san Ollscoil’ mar mhír sheasta ar chlár Údarás na hOllscoile agus dearbhófar go mbeidh cruinnithe ar bun i lárionaid Ghaeltachta.  Cuirfear i bhfeidhm polasaí nua, ag eascairt as an riachtanas go mbeidh sé de dhualgas ar gach aonad, seirbhísí custaiméirí a chur ar fáil as Gaeilge; scéim a chur i bhfeidhm ina dtugtar aitheantas oifigiúil don Ghaeilge mar scil sa phróiseas earcaíochta; agus beidh 20% den fhoireann phroifisiúnta ábalta a gcuid gnó a dhéanamh as Gaeilge. Úsáid na Gaeilge san Ollscoil: Bunófar Seirbhís Ateangaireachta Ollscoile; Cinnteofar go bhfuil mic léinn ábalta déileáil le córas riaracháin na hOllscoile as Gaeilge ó thús go deireadh ina gclár staidéir; Beidh Scéim nua ealaíne le dearadh agus le cur i bhfeidhm a dhíreoidh ar ealaín Ghaeilge a shuiteáil ar fud an champais. Gnóthaí Acadúla: Cur leis an rogha teagaisc as Gaeilge chomh maith le héascaíocht agus forbairt a dhéanamh ar thograí uaillmhianacha bunathraitheacha sa disciplín; fiosrú a dhéanamh ar na roghanna maidir le modúil idirdhisciplíneacha as Gaeilge a thairiscint. An Pobal: Tá tacaíocht tugtha ag Lárionaid Ghaeltachta na hOllscoile do phobal na Gaeltachta le breis agus 20 bliain agus tá siad faoi réir le leas a bhaint as na deiseanna a eascraíonn as Plean 20 Bliain an Stáit don Ghaeilge mar aon leis an leasú ar Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla.  Tá OÉ Gaillimh chun tosaigh ar thraenáil as Gaeilge a chur ar fáil d’ábhar oidí in Éirinn agus tá taighdeoirí den scoth againn i réimsí na pleanála teanga, na sochtheangeolaíochta agus na cumarsáide. Dúirt an Dr Máire Geoghegan Quinn. “Tá oidhreacht shaibhir Ghaeilge ag an Ollscoil seo agus cáil ar fud an domhain mhóir bainte amach ag scoláirí, scríbhneoirí, aisteoirí, iriseoirí, polaiteoirí  agus craoltóirí  Gaeilge a d’fhreastail ar an gcampas stairiúil, nuálach seo le céad go leith bliain agus tuilleadh.     "Bhí riamh buntáiste ar leith ag baint leis an nGaeilge anseo in OÉ Gaillimh ó thaobh suímh agus pobail de.  Tuigeadh ón tús gur chun leasa na teanga, na Gaeltachta agus na hOllscoile s’againne an muintearas seo eadrainn a chothú agus a neartú, rud a rinneadh. "Is í seo an t-aon ollscoil atá lonnaithe ar thairseach na Gaeltachta, tobar na teanga beo.  Tugann an suíomh uathúil seo agus ár nIonaid Ghaeltachta, sa nGaeltacht féin an deis dúinn an nasc sin leis an nGaeilge a thabhairt chun cinn ar bhealaí nuálacha.   Cuireann an Straitéis nua seo bonn nua seasmhach comhtháite faoin nGaeilge i ngach gné de shaol agus d’obair na hOllscoile agus fáiltím roimpi. “Ní mar dhualgas reachtúil ná mar ualach atá le hiompar go drogallach a féachadh ar an nGaeilge ach mar chuid dhílis, lárnach a théann go smior san institiúid agus gach cuid de.  Is mar sin a bhí agus is mar sin a bhéas.” D’eascair na réimsí tosaíochta straitéise agus na príomhaidhmeanna a bhfuil cur síos déanta orthu i Straitéis na Gaeilge 2021-2025, as comhráite agus díospóireacht ag cruinnithe de Choiste Straitéise na Gaeilge agus i roinnt fochoistí ina raibh baill inmheánacha agus sheachtracha páirteach iontu, san áireamh bhí ionadaíocht thar ceann na mac léinn, agus aiseolas ó phobal na hOllscoile, tar éis próiseas comhairliúcháin poiblí.  Ba é meon forleathan na ngrúpaí oibre ná gur cheart don straitéis a bheith uaillmhianach, ionas go gcuirfí chun cinn an Ghaeilge atá i mbaol, i saol na hOllscoile, i bpobal na Gaeltachta agus i bpobal na Gaeilge. Dúirt an tOllamh Pól Ó Dochartaigh, Uachtarán Ionaid & Meabhránaí OÉ Gaillimh: “Is straitéis uaillmhianach í seo atá lán le dóchas do thimpeallacht dhátheangach a chothú agus a fhorbairt.  Daingníonn an straitéis seo an teachtaireacht gur Straitéis ionchuimsitheach í Straitéis na Gaeilge atá faoi úinéireacht phobal na hOllscoile, beag beann ar an gcumas teanga atá acu. “Aithnítear an ról tábhachtach atá ag OÉ Gaillimh i gcúrsaí eacnamaíochta agus i sochaí an réigiúin, tá sé i gceist againn dul i mbun oibre le gnólachtaí, eagraíochtaí agus líonraí lena chinntiú go bhfuil ár nOllscoil ag tacú leis an gceantar.” Cur i bhFeidhm na Straitéise Bunóidh Coiste Straitéise na Gaeilge, Coiste Feidhmithe Straitéis na Gaeilge, óna chuid ball, le tacú le cur i bhfeidhm Straitéis na Gaeilge 2021-25. Déanfar forbairt ar phlean iomlán feidhmithe, a thabharfaidh aghaidh ar na réimsí tosaíochta straitéise, ina n-áirítear bearta a chuirfear i gcrích, amscála, úinéireacht agus spleáchas.  Beidh aird ar leith á tabhairt ag an Uachtarán Ionaid agus Meabhránaí ar mhonatóireacht an phróisis, aidhmeanna na straitéise a bhaintear amach agus cuirfidh sé tuarascáil ar fáil go bliantúil ar an dul chun cinn atá déanta, d’Údarás na hOllscoile. Tá OÉ Gaillimh meáite i dtreo a chuid dualgais reachtúla a chur i ngníomh faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla agus tabharfaidh Coiste Feidhmithe Straitéis na Gaeilge aird freisin ar Scéimeanna Teanga na hOllscoile agus a gcuid dualgas, faoi Acht an Choláiste Ollscoile, Gaillimh (Leasú), 2006, le hoideachas ollscoile i nGaeilge a chur chun cinn. Léigh Straitéis na Gaeilge 2021-25 ina hiomláine ag  http://www.nuigalway.ie/gaeilgebheo/. -Críoch-