Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 May 2003

Vol. 567 No. 5

Written Answers. - Irish Language.

Jack Wall

Question:

118 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the terms of reference of the proposed independent linguistic study of Irish usage in the Gaeltacht as a basis of the development of the Gaeltacht as an Irish speaking area; the person by whom the study will be carried out; when it is expected to commence; when it is expected to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14384/03]

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

149 Mr. Gilmore 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 relation to native Irish speakers in Gaeltacht areas choosing to rear their children through English in order not to cut them off from basic services; the steps being taken to address this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14370/03]

Willie Penrose

Question:

150 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made to date in implementing the report of the Gaeltacht Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14390/03]

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Éamon Ó Cuív)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 118, 149 and 150 together.

I established an advisory committee in October 2002 to advise on the actions necessary to facilitate the practical implementation, where appropriate, of proposals contained in the report of Coimisiún na Gaeltachta.

Among the issues and initiatives being considered and progressed by my Department with the assistance of the advisory committee are: the linguistic impact of planning policy in the Gaeltacht; the presentation of a submission in regard to critical issues affecting the Irish language in primary and post-primary education in the Gaeltacht; proposals for the re-structuring of Irish language pre-school services in the Gaeltacht; and recommendations in regard to new structures for youth organisations in the Gaeltacht.

My Department has had consultations with relevant government Departments and other organisations in relation to progressing these specific issues and further discussions, where appropriate, are planned.

In addition, the general question of how best to strengthen the linguistic development of the Gaeltacht was the subject of recent discussions by the committee.

On foot of those discussions, I am commissioning a comprehensive linguistic study of Irish usage in Gaeltacht areas which will form the basis for the development of the Gaeltacht as an Irish-speaking area and for a review of Gaeltacht boundaries. The terms of reference for the study have been finalised by my Department and tenders will be invited shortly by way of open competition. I expect that the contract will have been awarded and the study commenced by the autumn. I have arranged for a copy of the terms of reference to be sent to the Deputies as soon as possible.

The transmission of the Irish language from one generation to the next is critical for its survival. In this regard, an action plan, aimed at advising parents in Gaeltacht areas, particularly those with young children, of the advantages of choosing Irish as the household language, is currently being formulated by a sub-group established by the advisory committee. It is intended to bring forward proposals in relation to this action plan in the very near future. In addition, my Department is engaged in a review of schemes which play a significant role in strengthening the usage and transmission of Irish in Gaeltacht areas in general, namely scéim labhairt na Gaeilge and the language assistants scheme.

I intend, in tandem with the advisory committee, to press ahead with these and other proposals in the coming months. It should be recognised, of course, that the successful outcome of the overall process is largely dependant on the co-operation and commitment of all who have a stake in the future of Irish as a language in Gaeltacht areas, not least of which are the relevant government Departments and State agencies as well as the Gaeltacht communities themselves.

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 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.

Question No. 119 answered with Question No. 88.