Ulster-Scots Agency
The Ulster-Scots Agency is a cross-border body for Ireland which seeks to "promote the study, conservation and development of Ulster-Scots as a living language, to encourage and develop the full range of its attendant culture, and to promote an understanding of the history of the Ulster-Scots ."
Purpose
The remit of the agency is "the promotion of greater awareness and the use of Ullans and of Ulster-Scots cultural issues, both within Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland." "Ullans" and "Ulster-Scots cultural issues" are defined in inter-governmental agreement and enshrined in legislation as follows:"Ullans" is to be understood as the variety of the Scots language traditionally found in parts of Northern Ireland and Donegal. "Ulster-Scots cultural issues" relate to the cultural traditions of the part of the population of Northern Ireland and the border counties which is of Scottish ancestry and the influence of their cultural traditions on others, both within the island of Ireland and in the rest of the world.
Structure and funding
The agency is part of The North/South Language Body, established as a result of the Belfast Agreement of 1998. Its counterpart is Foras na Gaeilge, which was set up to promote the Irish language. The two bodies work together on some events, such as the National Ploughing Championships and the Balmoral Show.It has its head office in the Corn Exchange Building in Belfast, and a regional office in Raphoe, in eastern County Donegal.
Governance
The agency is overseen by an eight-member board, appointed by the North/South Ministerial Council.Staff
Answering to the Board but with day-to-day executive authority is the CEO. In turn there are directors for education and language, community and promotion, and corporate services. The staff levels have always been modest, reported as around 16 in 2015.Funding
It is jointly funded by the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland and the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport in the Republic of Ireland.Work
The agency delivers some projects itself, but also provides grants to charitable and community groups for language, musical and dance events. Bigger events include festivals and summer schools, but small projects are also supported.School visits and fairs are a major area of activity.
Projects which have been undertaken include an audio-recording survey of native speakers, the compilation of a two-way Ulster Scots/English dictionary, a text base of written Ulster Scots, and an expert translation service.