By Róise Collins

CALLS have been made for billboards to be erected at social housing developments being built in Donegal’s Gaeltacht highlighting the Irish language conditions which require 85 per cent of occupants speak Irish proficiently.

Current planning policies require that those hoping to secure a social home have an Irish language standard of Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge (TEG)B2 level.

The calls were made at Tuesday’s meeting of the Glenties MD by chair of the council’s Coiste na Gaeilge, Cllr Michel Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig.

He suggested that they the council include billboards near the sites of social housing developments across the Gaeltacht highlighting the language requirements for applicants, as he believes many are not aware of the condition.

This condition is part of the County’s Development Plan, which imposes a language condition on any planning permission for multiple residential developments of 2 more dwellings in the Gaeltacht.

This was developed to help halt the language shift away from Irish in Gaeltacht areas.

The Language Plan also sets out a series of measures to strengthen the Irish language in communities.

Cllr Mac Giolla Easbuig added that it is important local people are also given the opportunity to learn or improve their Irish by being provided with classes to reach the TEG B2 Level.

In response, a spokesperson for Donegal County Council agreed and said the erection of billboards highlighting the Irish language requirement was a good idea.