Vol. 558 No. 4
203 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Finance the additional costs which have arisen from the obligations on his Department in relation to the adoption by the Government in July 2002 of official language equality as one of the three new principles for quality customer services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24596/02]
My Department, as set out in Improving Customer Service Standards – An Action Plan 2001-2004, is fully committed to providing a high standard of service to all its clients and customers. It actively supports the development of bilingualism across the Civil Service through Gaeleagras both by means of Irish classes and providing advice and assistance on developing and implementing bilingual services to the public.
The specific additional cost to date to my Department arising from the adoption by the Government in July 2000 of official language equality as one of the principles of quality customer service is estimated to be of the order of €24,000. In addition, a significant amount of publication in Irish has been under way on an ongoing basis by my Department, especially by the Euro Changeover Board of Ireland.
Question No. 204 answered with Question No. 201.
