Home | Contact Us |
About Us | Language | Education | culture | Awareness |
| About Worsels | leid | Fowkgates | Lear | Awaur |
Overview | Corporate Plan 2005-2007 | Corporate Plan 2000/1 - 2003/4 | Board Members | Chief Executive | Staff | Annual Report 2000 | Grants | Complaints | Press Releases | Freedom of Information Act | European Charter | Latest Vacancies | 2006 Business Plan | Board Meeting Minutes |
Key Objectives |


BACKGROUND

 

The North/South Language Body was set up as one of the North/South bodies under the Belfast Agreement.  This Body comprises two agencies, Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch (The Ulster-Scots Agency) and Foras na Gaeilge (the Irish Language Agency)..  The Chairpersons of the Agencies are the Joint Chairs of the North/South Language Body – otherwise known as Tha Boord o Leid in Ulster-Scots and An Foras Teanga in Irish.

 

The Body has a Board of 24 members appointed by the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC).  Of those members-

 

·              16 are drawn from among persons appearing to NSMC to have an interest in, or experience of, matters relating to the functions of the Body in relation to Irish language. These members have responsibility for the exercise of the functions of the Body through the Irish Language Agency.

 

·              8 are drawn from among persons appearing to NSMC to have an interest in, or experience of, matters relating to the functions of the Body in relation to Ullans and Ulster-Scots cultural issues. These members have responsibility for the exercise of the functions of the Body through the Ulster Scots Agency.  

 

The legislative remit of the Ulster-Scots Agency is the “promotion of greater awareness and use of Ullans and of Ulster-Scots cultural issues, both within Northern Ireland and throughout the island”.

 

The Ulster-Scots Agency is responsible to the North/South Ministerial Council, and  to the two Ministers, in the Northern Ireland Assembly and Dáil Éireann whose remits include language and culture. During the period of suspension of the Northern Ireland Assembly, the Ulster-Scots Agency is responsible to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Minister in the Dáil whose remit includes language and culture.

 

The Ulster-Scots Agency has its main office in Belfast with a regional office in Raphoe, Co. Donegal.

 

In carrying out its functions in relation to Ullans and Ulster-Scots cultural issues the Ulster-Scots Agency may -

 

a)            Provide advice for both administrations, public bodies and other groups in the private and voluntary sectors;

 

b)            Undertake research and promotional campaigns; and

 

c)            Support projects and grant-aid bodies and groups.