As far as I know the deontas is a financial reward given to Gaeltacht families who bring their children up with full fluency in Irish. I don't think it is available nationwide. Why not? Should not all families using Irish get the money wherever they are? I know the policy is to support the Gaeltacht, but it seems mad not to support the language wherever people are making an effort. Answers on the back of a postcard please.

The policy is flawed, and is being reviewed.

Personally I think it does more harm than good, since it allows people to say "they only speak Irish beacuse they're paid to".

I would like to see the funds put into schemes like the language assistants scheme. "scéim na gcuntoirí teanga"

http://www.pobail.ie/ie/AnGhaeltacht/SceimeannaagusobairnaRoinnesaGhaeltacht/Sce imLabhairtnaGaeilge/

http:///cogg/global/site/gaeilge/foilseachain.asp?id=36&cid=47

I'd stop short of saying slán to the deontas...
But definitely the airgead could be spent better and more effectively!

Is the "deontas program" similar to the monies given out by governmental agencies like the National Endowment for the Arts in America? I may find out when I look at the websites given above and at other sites.