asked the Minister for Justice the reason gardaí who work in the Gaeltacht areas of County Cork are not being paid the extra allowance which is payable to those working in such areas.
Written Answers - Cork Garda Gaeltacht Allowance
376.
Limerick East): Gaeltacht allowance has never been payable to gardaí serving in any area in County Cork. When the allowance was introduced in 1934 it was decided that it would be paid only in areas where Irish was the general medium of speech and where all the members of the force were proficient in Irish and were required to perform their duties in Irish. The areas where the allowance was to be paid were determined on the basis of districts. These are Garda administrative areas—each comprising five or six stations — under the supervision of superintendents. It was not regarded as practicable to arrange for members of the force in any particular station to conduct all their duties in Irish if Irish was not also in use at the district headquarters. The allowance has continued to be paid to members at stations where it was originally paid and no change has taken place other than those brought about by the closing of stations.