Irish Language Users Urged To Apply For EU Jobs

The Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs, Seán Kyne, has again urged Irish language users to apply for EU translator post before the deadline on 12 July.

Minister Kyne said that the Irish language was "never more important at EU level", with new possibilities for the language within the EU leading to the creation of worthwhile career opportunities for Irish language speakers.

Irish was recognised as an official and working language of the European Union in 2007. Since then, a derogation on the level of Irish language services to be provided has been in place. In December 2015, the European Council adopted a regulation aimed at ending the derogation by the end of 2021. EU institutions are now preparing to gradually provide Irish language services at the same level as those provided for the other official languages of the EU. As part of this process, a competition to fill up to 62 positions for Irish-speaking linguists based in Brussels and Luxembourg is being held by the European Personnel Selection Office. The closing date for applications is 12 July 2016.

Speaking at a meeting of the Steering Committee of the Centre for Excellence for EU Careers in NUIG today, Minister Kyne said: "The recent competition for Irish Language Linguistic Assistants and the current one for Irish Language Translators are further important steps towards ending the derogation. The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in conjunction with the Department of the Taoiseach and the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU are pursuing a number of initiatives in Ireland and elsewhere to raise awareness of and promote these competitions. The end of this derogation within the next five years is a vital step in ensuring the lasting presence of the Irish language in the EU and guaranteeing valuable employment opportunities for Irish language translators in the European institutions."

"I would urge Irish speakers from all disciplines, not just those with Irish language degrees, to consider applying for these extremely well remunerated positions – positions which are potentially the entry point for a lifetime of different careers in the multitude of policy areas dealt with at European Union level," the Minister added.

(MH/LM)