Vol. 500 No. 2
158 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount of money his Department has directly or indirectly spent on the use and promotion of the Irish language in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3856/99]
In line with the guidelines for the promotion of bilingualism in the public sector, my Department makes every effort to promote Irish, and bilingualism, within the Department itself, and in those agencies under its aegis.
Certain forms and other documentary material provided by those sections of my Department that have most dealings with the general public, for example, the General Register Office of Births, Deaths and Marriages and the health promotion unit are made available in Irish or in a bilingual format.
The agencies under the aegis of my Department are regularly asked to complete the Bord na Gaeilge questionnaire on the provision of services through Irish and are encouraged to meet public demand in the matter generally.
It is not possible to produce accurate figures that would reflect the cost of the use or promotion of the Irish language by my Department in the format requested by the Deputy.
