Vol. 558 No. 4
312 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children 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. [24601/02]
In July 2000 the Government adopted official languages equality as one of the three new principles for quality customer service and my Department's forthcoming customer service action plan includes details of how the 12 principles will be implemented. This principle states that Departments and public service offices will provide quality services through Irish and-or bilingually and inform customers of their right to choose to be dealt with through one or other of the official languages. I am fully committed to this principle.
A list is being prepared of people who are bilingual and who are willing to provide a service through Irish. Future publications will be made available in both Irish and English. The Department's website is currently being updated and there will be a greater Irish content. No additional costs have been incurred to date.
