Brian O'Shea
Question:131 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Finance the amount of money his Department has spent on the Irish language in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15070/03]
Written Answers. - Irish Language.
Brian O'Shea
Question:132 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Finance his Department's objective in relation to its expenditure on the Irish language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15084/03]
Brian O'Shea
Question:133 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Finance the monitoring system his Department has in place in regard to his Department's objective in relation to the Irish language; the expenditure in achieving that objective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15098/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 to 133, inclusive, together.
My Department, as stated in its Quality Customer Service Action Plan 2001-2004, is committed to providing a high quality service to customers who wish to conduct their business in Irish. It actively supports the development of bilingualism especially across the civil service through Gaeleagras both by means of Irish classes and providing advice and assistance in relation to developing and implementing bilingual services to the public.
The main area of expenditure in the Department relating to the Irish language arises in respect of Gaeleagras na Seirbhíse Poiblí which was established in 1971 with the general aim of promoting the Irish language throughout the public service. It provides Irish language training for civil servants to enable them to deal with the public through Irish. Gaeleagras pursues this aim through a range of activities such as day and evening courses, proficiency testing of Irish among civil servants for promotion purposes, special courses for targeted groups and residential courses in the Gaeltacht.
The amount spent from Subhead F – Gaeleagras na Seirbhíse Poiblí, of the Department's Vote by Gaeleagras in each of the past five years towards achieving these objectives is as follows: €171,021 in 1998, €175,894 in 1999, €145,365 in 2000, €189,191 in 2001 and €184,039 in 2002.
In addition to these amounts one higher executive officer and 1.5 clerical officers are currently engaged in providing backup administrative services to Gaeleagras. Further expenditure has also arisen in regard to translation, printing and advertising in Irish across the Department. However, precise information on the amount of such expenditure over the last five years is not readily available.
Gaeleagras monitors the numbers attending classes and students are examined in relation to proficiency achieved. Attendees at classes and at scholarships complete assessment forms which are reviewed regularly to ensure that Gaeleagras is meeting the needs of civil servants with regard to the provision of service through Irish. In the context of the new Civil Service training strategy more formal evaluation systems will be put in place. Customer comment cards in Irish are also available in the reception areas of the Department's offices which are monitored by the quality customer services officer.