Funding Dispute Between DUP and Sinn Féin Over Irish-English Sign Project
A dispute has emerged between the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Sinn Féin regarding the funding of a project that assists councils with Irish-English street sign translations.
DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has denied that he cut the £90,000 annual funding, stating that the project had been funded for the past four years by the Department of Finance (DoF).
The Department of Finance clarified that responsibility for the project was transferred in 2022, with the understanding that the Department for Communities would assume responsibility for the project’s longer-term funding.
Background of the Northern Ireland Place-Name Project
The Northern Ireland Place-Name Project was established in the 1980s to research the origins and meanings of local place names across Northern Ireland.
Sinn Féin Calls for Explanation on Funding
Sinn Féin's Colm Gildernew has urged Gordon Lyons to appear before the assembly to clarify the funding situation.
Gildernew, who chairs Stormont's communities committee, stated that he raised concerns about the funding earlier this year and was assured it would continue into the summer.
He emphasized the project's importance in supporting councils and promoting the Irish language.
"This is a very small amount of funding that's providing a vital service to all 11 councils,"
"There are huge questions around what communications were undertaken with the project to ensure it could continue to do its important work."
Minister Lyons’ Response on Funding and Responsibility
Gordon Lyons explained that the project had been funded by the Department of Finance, which ended its support this year and sought to transfer responsibility to his department without providing funding.
Lyons stated that he had not made any decision to end funding for the project.
"I'm not saving £90,000. I'm not reallocating £90,000 elsewhere,"
He reiterated that the Department of Finance had funded the project for the past four years but decided to stop support this year.
"They were not prepared to fund it anymore and were handing this over to the Department for Communities,"
Lyons added that his department would now consider whether to take on the project.
"If we're taking on new funding and new responsibilities, is it something that is necessary?"
"Is it our responsibility? Is it value for money? Is it the right thing to do?"
He accused Sinn Féin of attempting to use the issue to "score political points," asserting that "the facts are on the side of the DUP."
Lyons also mentioned that he could not fund the project in the short term due to "staffing changes" but expressed willingness to "discuss how the project can be taken forward on merit."
Department of Finance Statement
A spokesperson for the Department of Finance stated:
"In 2022 responsibility for the Place Name Project transferred from the Department of Finance to the department with responsibility for languages with funding in place until the 31 March 2026.
When the project transferred it did so on the understanding that the department it transferred to would have responsibility for longer-term funding for the project."
Political Reactions
Matthew O'Toole, SDLP assembly member and leader of the opposition in the Northern Ireland Assembly, described the funding cut as "vandalism."
SDLP assembly member for Foyle Mark H Durkan stressed the importance of establishing the facts.
He characterized the issue as "typical of the dysfunction that plagues politics" in Northern Ireland.
What Does the Project Do?
The Northern Ireland Place-Name Project is a research initiative based at Queen's University Belfast.
Since 1987, it has investigated the origins, meanings, and history of more than 30,000 local place names.
The project provides a free searchable database covering townlands, settlements, and geographical features, highlighting Irish, Ulster-Scots, and English place names.
On its website, the project currently states it is in the process of winding down activities as it has reached the end of its current funding period.
"At this time, we regret that we are no longer in a position to respond to new enquiries or requests for information or translations,"
it says.
