Scottish Languages Bill: island communities impact assessment

Step Five

In Step Five, you should describe the likely significantly different effect of the policy, strategy or service.

Assess the extent to which you consider that the policy, strategy or service can be developed or delivered in such a manner as to improve or mitigate, for island communities, the outcomes resulting from it.

The policy will have a different effect in island communities as a result of speaker numbers and language profile. The Bill has the potential to improve the delivery of key public services in island communities such as Gaelic medium education. Through the designation of Areas of Linguistic Significance Gaelic language planning, community development and the delivery of public services can be better integrated. A more efficiently structured Bòrd na Gàidhlig can contributed to the overall efficacy of public bodies in island communities.

It is recognised that Gaelic has a distinct profile within island communities in Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Highland Council and Argyll & Bute. The Bill builds on an existing and well established system of support for Gaelic – one which combines a national remit with an awareness of local circumstances.

The public consultation – as well other sources such as the Report of the Short Life Working Group on Economic and Social Opportunities for Gaelic and general public debate – presented strong views on the need for national Gaelic policies which were more adaptable to the specific circumstances of local communities. A strong current of opinion in this regard was the need for Gaelic development to be better integrated with efforts to tackle other social and economic issues affecting Gaelic communities. For island communities the most prominent among these issues were employment, housing and transport. The provisions for Areas of Linguistic Significance were designed in response to this.

Consider alternative delivery mechanisms and whether further consultation is required.

A number of alternative delivery mechanisms were proposed in the consultation.