With the help of free software designed by Vodafone and Foras na Gaeilge, mobile phone users can now receive predictive texting prompts from more than 25,000 Irish language words and phrases, with full grammatical support for all common terms.

Announced in Dublin on January 26, Téacs will be available across all networks. The new service means that customers who wish to text in Irish can now do so from a broad range of networks.

"We believe that the ability to use predictive text in Irish without needing to acquire new technology will have an immensely positive effect on the usage of the language, particularly amongst young people in education, for whom SMS is a primary means of communication," said Carolan Lennon, consumer director at Vodafone Ireland.

"We are delighted that it is now available for free for download by lovers of Irish all over the island of Ireland no matter what network they are on and look forward to it making a hugely positive impact on the language and its daily use."

Foras na Gaeilge chief executive Ferdie Mac an Fhailigh said his organisation had been working with Vodafone for a number of years to develop the texting service for both fluent Irish speakers and occasional users of the language.

"This service offers Irish language texting at your fingertips," he quipped.

Téacs is available to all mobile users at http://wap.teacs.ie (Source: Irish Times)