FERMANAGH and Omagh District councillors will consider a draft Irish language and Ulster Scots policy at their full council meeting in Enniskillen Townhall tonight (Thursday).

The draft policies aspire to “protect, promote and enhance linguistic diversity within the District”.

They include proposed initiatives such as introducing a dedicated voice messaging service for Irish speakers, exploring opportunities to provide ‘apps’ or visitor guides in Irish and Ulster Scots, using leaflets posters, social media and the council’s website to promote Irish language projects, and providing bi-lingual versions of street names, on request.

A report on both policies was brought before members at the latest Policy and Resources committee meeting.

According to the report, meetings were held with repreentatives from Foras na Gaelige and Conradh na Gaelighe to inform the development of the draft policies.

Desktop research was also conducted to examine the Irish language and the Ulster Scots policies from Derry City and Strabane District Council, together with the developing Irish language policy from the Mid-Ulster Council.

And in drafting both policies, officers from the Policy and Strategic Services section worked with colleagues from the Community, Health and Leisure department who had a remit for language and cultural promotion.

Subject to approval tonight, it is proposed that a broader consultation now takes place with a particular focus on groups, organisations or individuals with an interest in the development of either or both languages.

According to 2011 census figures, within the Fermanagh and Omagh District 14.54 per cent of the local population had some knowledge of the Irish language. There are 5,049 people within the district who have the ability to speak, read and write in Irish, representing 4.46 per cent of the district’s population.

Meanwhile, 4.4 per cent of the local population had some knowledge of Ulster Scots in the same census.

The council states that “all necessary human, financial and material resources” will be made available to implement the policies if approved, “whilst being mindful of budgetary constraints”.

An implementation timeframe is provided for both policies.

The timeframe for the Irish language policy suggests that the council will, among other things: accept and reply to all written correspondence in Irish; respond in a positive manner to requests for Irish translations of an Council documents and ensure that the council’s website makes available all information in Irish.

It suggests that by September this year the council should introduce a dedicated voice messaging service for those who choose to leave a message in Irish.

On an ongoing basis the council will provide bi-lingual versions of street names, in English and Irish or English and Ulster Scots, on request, provided residents can show community consensus on this.

Frontline employees will be trained in procedures for dealing in an appropriate and welcoming manner with an enquiry or request in Irish or Ulster Scots.

And by Decembver this year it suggests that materials such as leaflets, posters and tools such as the council website and social media should be used to promote Irish language projects or initiatives.

Both draft policies say the council “recognises and celebrates the rich diversity of linguistic traditions that has helped to shape the history of the district, and that continues to reflect in the variety of languages that are written, spoken, and understood by the District’s residents and visitors”.

The council says the policies represent a “local response” to various regional, national and international initiatives and programmes, along with statutory obligations falling on the Council, while also “aspiring to help promote good relations within the Council and the District generally”.

It adds that the aim of the policies, besides establishing a “transparent set of principles and procedures for promoting, protecting and enhancing both languages and cultures, is to develop opportunities for residents, customers and visitors to use the both languages when accessing the Council’s facilities and services.