Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging Island Communities Impact Assessment

Impact 3: Communication materials in Gaelic

Background

71. Gaelic is an integral part of Scotland’s national identity, cultural heritage and history, and the Scottish Government is committed to the promotion and inclusion of the Gaelic language and speakers where possible. ^[38]

72. The number of Gaelic speakers in Scotland is significantly higher in island communities compared to mainland Scotland. According to the 2011 census, around 1.1% of the population across Scotland can speak, read or understand Gaelic. This increases to more than 50% in Na h-Eileanan Siar, and around 4-5% in Highland and Argyll & Bute council areas.^[39]

Mitigation measures

73. As service providers and retailers operating in island communities already incorporate Gaelic into their communications, it is expected this would continue to be the case with this proposal without further intervention. It is therefore concluded that no further exploration of provision for Gaelic language communications is required.