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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 May 2003

Vol. 567 No. 5

Written Answers. - Conradh na Gaeilge.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

102 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to comments made by the President of Conradh na Gaeilge at the organisation's recent annual conference in Tralee (details supplied); his views on the comments made; if he has plans to increase support for the Gaeltacht areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14369/03]

Brian O'Shea

Question:

423 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the comments made by the President of Conradh na Gaeilge at the organisation's recent annual conference in Tralee, in which he criticised the chronic lack of support from central Government for the Gaeltacht areas; his views on the comments made; his plans to increase support for the Gaeltacht areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14528/03]

I propose to take Question Nos. 102 and 423 together.

I do not agree with the opinion expressed with regard to Government support for the Gaeltacht. My Department supports the Gaeltacht in a range of ways, all of which are aimed at the pro motion of sustainable and culturally vibrant communities there and the maintenance and strengthening of the use of the Irish language as the chosen spoken language of the region. For example, last year capital grants exceeding €16.5 million from my Department were approved for the improvement of Gaeltacht infrastructure, including roads, marine works, village renewal and various recreational facilities such as community centres, playing fields and other such amenities. This represents an increase of 12% on the previous year. A further €4.7 million was expended by my Department in 2002 under the Gaeltacht Housing Acts in order to further improve the housing stock in the Gaeltacht – an increase of almost 25% on 2001. My Department continues to support Gaeltacht households who provide suitable accommodation for learners of Irish who attend Irish language summer colleges and I was delighted to be in a position earlier this year to sanction a substantial increase in the grant paid to these households. My Department also provided more than €1.5 million last year for various organisations working to maintain and strengthen the Irish language and culture in the Gaeltacht.
Údarás na Gaeltachta, which, as the Deputy is aware, discharges its responsibilities through a range of socio-economic activities in the Gaeltacht, received a total of €42.9 million from my Department last year to allow it to continue with the development of the Gaeltacht economy and the preservation of the Irish language. As Minister with responsibility for the Gaeltacht, I recognise that the Irish language is the most valuable resource in the Gaeltacht and that the future development of the Gaeltacht will depend in no small way on its preservation.
I draw the attention of the Deputy to my reply today to Questions Nos. 118, 149 and 150 regarding the work that is ongoing to facilitate the practical implementation of proposals contained in the report of Coimisiún na Gaeltachta.
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