Public Sector
Certificate in Professional Irish
Accredited courses at Levels 2-6 of the National Framework of Qualifications (A1 go C1)
Certificate in Professional Irish
The Certificate in Professional Irish (CPI) is a part-time programme aimed at public sector employees who deal with the public on a regular basis and who are required to provide a service through Irish from time to time. Those who undertake the CPI have the opportunity to learn specialised language that is closely related to their work and at the same time gain a recognised qualification.
The CPI aims to give participants the confidence and language skills that will enable them to communicate through Irish with the public in a work context and to use the language socially as well. Participants who complete the course are able to provide better customer service through Irish, which supports the organisations in which they work to meet their obligations under the Official Languages Act 2003.
The course is available at five levels: Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, Level 5 and Level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications. These courses are recognised by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI).
Telephone and Customer Service Training
This course is aimed at telephone and customer care staff, in local authorities and the public sector, who deal with the public on a regular basis and who are required to provide a service through Irish from time to time. This half-day course is provided by Gaelchultúr in conjunction with Foras na Gaeilge.
The aim of the course is to enable participants to provide a quality customer service through Irish. It also aims to build participants’ confidence so that they find it easier to use Irish with the public and will highlight the importance of providing a service through Irish. It is suitable for those who have studied Irish previously (at school, for example) but have not used the language in a good number of years.
This course is delivered four times a year. To book a place one of these courses, simply register on our site. If more than ten people from one organisation are interested in participating in this course, Gaelchultúr would be happy to run the course specifically for the group and to provide a group discount rate. To discuss this option please send an email to fios@gaelchultur.com .
Irish Language Course for Elected Councillors
Gaelchultúr has developed a five-week course to enable councillors to communicate through Irish with the public and their colleagues. This course is run by an Irish language expert and involves an hour-long class per week.
The aim of the course is to support participants in acquiring relevant Irish language phrases that they can use when delivering speeches or attending community events. They will also be taught useful phrases and vocabulary that will help them include more Irish in their day-to-day correspondence with colleagues and the public and that will help them to fulfil their obligations under the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021.
In addition to the live online course, participants will be given 6-months access to a comprehensive and interactive learning resource on Gaelchultúr’s e-learning website, www.ranganna.com. This resource caters to the language requirements of council members and contains useful vocabulary and terminology specific to the work carried out by council members.
If more than ten Councillors from one council are interested in participating in this course, Gaelchultúr would be happy to run the course specifically for the group. To discuss this option please send an email to fios@gaelchultur.com .
Customised Courses
At Gaelchultúr, we understand that the goals, resources, and budgets are not the same in every organisation and that these factors should not prevent you from improving the Irish language skills of your staff. Gaelchultúr makes every effort to cater to all organisations who are committed to promoting the use of Irish regardless of their resources or budget.
If your workplace is interested in running Irish language courses for staff and if the Certificate in Professional Irish or the half-day Telephone Skills and Customer Service course are not suitable, please contact fios@gaelchultur.com, to discuss other options available.