Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Feb 1999

Vol. 500 No. 2

Written Answers. - Irish Language Promotion.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

176 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform 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. [3860/99]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available, and could only be obtained by the use of a disproportionate amount of resources and diverting staff from other important work.

However, I assure the Deputy that my Department adheres to its responsibilities in the use and promotion of the Irish language by,inter alia, the inclusion of Irish in published booklets and information leaflets concerning the Department, the placing of advertisements in Irish language publications and the bilingual printing of all the Department's letter headings. Signage in my Department complies with Government policy and is displayed in both Irish and English, and scholarship grants are paid to members of the Department's staff who attend Gaeleagras courses.

The Garda ochána, in accordance with Government policy to improve bilingualism in the State sector, has recently launched a five year strategy for the Irish language in the force for the years 1998 to 2002. This is the third in a series of action programmes for the development of a quality service through the Irish language for members of the public coming into contact with the Garda ochána. These programmes have been developed in consultation with Bord na Gaeilge and are in line with Government guidelines and directives.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

177 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation 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. [3861/99]

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Dr. McDaid)

My Department, which was established in July, 1997, has a policy of ensuring that Irish speakers, in their dealings with the Department, are able to enjoy the same level of service as those who wish to conduct their business through English.

As set out in my Department's quality customer service action plan issued in December 1997, "tá seirb ar fáil dóibh siúd ar mian leo a gcuid gnó a dhéanamh t Ghaeilge." In this regard, the staff of my Department are encouraged to and facilitated in attending courses in Irish. In addition, the Department's stationery is in bilingual form. It would not be possible to estimate the additional cost of this work since the establishment of my Department with any degree of accuracy as it is treated as an integral part of services provided by my Department to the public.