By Róise Collins
THE Gaeltacht housing crisis was brought to the fore on Tuesday as national housing campaign group TINTEÁN staged a protest outside Leinster House.
They were calling on the Minister for Housing, James Browne, to take immediate and decisive action to address the deepening housing and language crisis in Gaeltacht communities.
Supporters gathered on Kildare Street to highlight the disproportionate impact of the national housing emergency on Irish-speaking regions.
Campaigners stressed that without urgent intervention, the viability of Gaeltacht communities and the future of Irish as a living community language is at serious risk.
They said young people are finding it difficult to rent, build or buy houses in the Gaeltacht, which is putting their future and the future of the language at risk.
Representatives from BÁNÚ, CATU, Meitheal Náisiúnta Pleanála Teanga, and Aontas na Mac Léinn in Éirinn stood in solidarity with TINTEÁN.
Representatives of the BÁNÚ campaign, Conradh na Gaeltachta and the Meitheal Náisiúnta of language planning officers, including Dónall Ó Cnáimhsí from Gaoth Dobhair, also gave a presentation to TDs and Senators in Leinster House.
Following the protest Sinn Féin tabled a private members motion to the Dáil which also highlighted the growing Gaeltacht housing crisis.
