Vol. 545 No. 4
260 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children if an allowance is paid by his Department to officers or agents of his Department for service in an official Gaeltacht area or due to the fact that a Gaeltacht area exists in the county in which they serve; the rate and conditions which apply to this allowance; the numbers who availed of the allowance in 2000-01; the amount provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30727/01]
I wish to inform the Deputy that there is an allowance paid to certain staff who are employed in the Gaeltacht area. The three health boards in question, the North-Western Health Board, the Western Health Board and the Southern Health Board, pay this allowance under the Local Offices (Irish Language) Regulations, 1966, which entitles an officer fulfilling the conditions outlined in the circular to an additional remuneration not exceeding 7.5% of the rate per annum of the annual basic salary of the post holder. The number of personnel who are in receipt of this allowance in the years 2000 and 2001 for the boards are as follows: North-Western Health Board – 20 people for the both years in question; Western Health Board – 42 and 41 people, respectively, for the years 2000 and 2001; and the Southern Health Board had two people availing of this allowance over the two years.
