THE BBC's output on Irish-language programming pales in comparison to Scots Gaelic and Welsh expenditure, in an issue previously highlighted by the north's Irish language commissioner.
Last week, the BBC announced a range of cuts to its Irish-language unit. Full-time staff are to be reduced from five to two, with an "Assistant Commissioner, Gaeilge" to "support the Commissioning Editor for Daytime & Language Strategy, in developing and delivering BBC NI’s Gaeilge strategy and portfolio, in a range of scripted and unscripted genres".
Currently the BBC broadcasts three hours of in-house made radio content in Irish per week. Thirty minutes on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and ninety minutes on a Thursday in two separate programmes.
The BBC's television output is all produced by the flourishing Irish language independent production sector. Much of the content is co-funded by Northern Ireland Screen's Irish Language Broadcast Fund or by Coimisiún na Meán, and co-commissioned with a range of other broadcasters, including TG4 and RTÉ.
The 2021 Census in Northern Ireland showed that 228,617 people had "some ability in Irish." Census results in Wales showed that 17.8 per cent of the population can speak Welsh, which equates to 538,300 people aged three or older.
The total number of people recorded as being able to speak, read, write and/or understand Scots Gaelic in the 2022 census (postponed from 2021 due to the pandemic) was 130,161.
In June of this year, Irish Language Commissioner Pól Deeds submitted written evidence to the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee as part of the BBC's Royal Charter Review, in which he highlighted as a "central concern" the "persistent lack of Irish language content across BBC television, radio and digital news".
At the time, Mr Deeds called for funding for Irish medium broadcasting to be "at a level comparable to Welsh and Gaelic provision".
He highlighted the census results and noted that "the BBC provides a far more substantial and structured service for speakers of the indigenous languages in Scotland and Wales".
"Welsh speakers benefit from S4C and BBC Cymru Wales, delivering a full suite of television, radio and digital content. Similarly, Gaelic speakers benefit from the BBC–MG ALBA partnership, providing BBC ALBA television, Radio nan Gàidheal and associated online services," he continued.
"In contrast, Irish language audiences receive around three hours of radio and on average less than one hour of irregular television content each week, and no content on the BBC news website."
Mr Deeds highlighted the need to "expand Irish language news services to ensure existing equality." He noted the training schemes provided by the Irish Language Broadcast Fund (ILBF), but also made clear that funding comes directly from the Treasury, "meaning the BBC makes little direct licence fee investment in developing Irish language production skills, yet Irish speaking audiences pay the licence fee on the same basis as everyone else."
Mr Deeds called for the BBC to "allocate a dedicated portion of licence fee income to support and expand Irish language apprenticeships, training schemes, and early career placements, either independently or in partnership with the ILBF. This would fill critical skills gaps while enabling the creation of high-quality Irish language content across BBC platforms."
When approached for comment regarding the latest cuts to Irish language services on the platform, a BBC NI spokesperson said: “We remain fully committed to BBC programmes and services in Irish and want to develop them further. Our plans are intended to deliver increased Irish language output on BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle and to develop new ways of working with the independent production sector – reflecting equivalent arrangements for BBC television programmes in Irish.
"We know that these changes are difficult for the BBC staff involved and will want to work closely with them on this transition and in identifying new opportunities for BBC services in Irish."
Referencing the independent sector, the spokesperson said, "A significantly increased percentage of Irish language programming (across the BBC’s radio and digital platforms, including learning resources) will be sourced from the independent sector, with a consequent reduction in BBC staffing in this area.
"BBC expenditure on Irish and output totals on BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle will remain unchanged. And these plans include the retention of senior in-house staff roles for Irish language services and their integration within a single, cross-platform strategy."
