On 3 November 2026, Dr Ann Nolan and Dr Neasa Ní Chiaráin presented research conducted at the School of Social Work and Social Policy to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Irish Language, Gaeltacht and Irish-Speaking Communities.
The researchers discussed findings from Ó Bhéal an Phobail (In the Community's Own Words), which examines how the housing crisis is affecting residents of the West Kerry Gaeltacht and the implications for the future sustainability of Irish as a community language. The study was led by Dr Nolan at SWSP in collaboration with Dr Ní Chiaráin of the School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences. Carmel O’Sullivan, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, appeared alongside the researchers at the hearing.
Dr Nolan outlined evidence of the growing gap between local incomes and housing costs and highlighted the need for a coordinated policy response linking housing, rural development and language planning. Dr Ní Chiaráin demonstrated how ABAIR, Trinity's Irish-language speech technology platform, supported the research by transcribing and analysing Irish-language focus groups, enabling community members to contribute to policymaking in their own language.
The appearance before the Committee showcased the impact of interdisciplinary research at Trinity, bringing together social policy and language technology expertise to address challenges facing Gaeltacht communities and inform national policy.
A policy briefing paper on the study is available here, with an Irish-language executive summary available here.
A recording of the Committee hearing can be viewed here.
