Vol. 567 No. 5
94 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the measures he has initiated or plans to take to increase the use of the Irish language countrywide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14396/03]
In terms of Government policy generally there have been significant developments in recent years which contributed to the increase the use of the Irish language nationally and which continue to do so: Raidió na Gaeltachta is now broadcasting 24 hours a day; TG4 is now well established with a constantly increasing audience; the importance of the Irish language is recognised in the Planning Acts; An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta has been established; specific responsibility for Gaeltacht and Irish language matters has been reassigned to a Cabinet Minister, which is a clear indication of the importance of the language in the Government programme.
From the perspective of my own Department, a review was carried out in recent months of departmental schemes and policies as part of the process of drawing up the Department's first strategy statement. That process identified a number of critical issues to be addressed in relation to Irish language policy over the period 2003-2005, including the examination of the recommendations of the report of Coimisiún na Gaeltachta; language planning, followed by the implementation of a focused action plan; and the provision of Irish-medium education at all levels. There has been a significant growth in the number of Irish language schools in recent years. This has been supported by my Department through annual funding from Foras na Gaeilge to the organisation Gaelscoileanna.
As regards the provision of public services through Irish, the Official Languages Bill 2002 has particular policy relevance. Key tasks arising from its provisions will include: working with Government Departments and other public bodies to put in place agreed new schemes and structures regarding service provision through Irish; and establishing an operating structure for the official languages commissioner.
As I stated in this House last week on the Second Stage of the Bill, I am confident that its enactment will have a major positive impact on the position of the Irish language in the life of the country, including a significant increase in the visibility of the language on a day-to-day basis.
Other key tasks planned, or already in hands, include the rolling out, on a broad front, of a series of practical, costed measures to strengthen Irish as the principal community language in the Gaeltacht; working with Údarás na Gaeltachta to strengthen the organisation's focus on language-centred projects; supporting Foras na Gaeilge in its statutory task of increasing the use of the Irish language in everyday life throughout the island of Ireland; and the preparation of a publication setting out the evolution of the Irish language, its constitutional and legal status, official policies to support and promote its role in contemporary Ireland.
Question No. 95 answered with Question No. 90.
