Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 25 Jun 2003

Vol. 569 No. 4

Written Answers. - Irish Language.

Jack Wall

Question:

260 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the funding provided to organisations in regard to the development of the Irish language by same either directly or indirectly by his Department; the policy, in bi-lingual format, of the organisations for which the funding was provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18006/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

Under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-06, a grant of €1,485,593, over three years, was approved to An Comhchoiste Réamscolaíochta Teo on 21 November, 2000. An Comhcoiste was established in 1978, a national voluntary organisation with charity status that provides early childhood services, including care and education, throughout the country, through the medium of Irish. I 1978 bunaíodh An Comhchoiste Réamscolaíochta Teo., eagríocht deonach náisiúnta le stádas carthanachta, a chuireann Seirbhísí Luathóige idir chúram agus oideachas ar fáil ar fud na tíre, trí mheán na Ghaeilge.

An Comhchoiste is responsible for the founding, developing and maintaining of Naionraí – play groups – the organisation of training courses, through the medium of Irish, for their personnel, developing all types of educational material for Irish medium education and activities. It co-operates with other organisations concerned with pre-schooling and education to pro mote the use of Irish in any pre-school setting. In addition to the funding to An Comhchoiste, the equal opportunities programme has committed almost €8.5 million in grant assistance to child care services around the country that cater for children through the medium of Irish.

The policy of the Garda Síochána regarding the Irish language is outlined fully in the policy document entitled A strategy for the Irish Language in An Garda Síochána – 1998-02. A new policy document will issue once the Official Languages Equality Bill 2002 is enacted.

An Irish language working group, consisting of 11 members chaired by the deputy commissioner, strategic resource management, with a representative from Foras na Gaeilge was established in 1998 to oversee the implementation of policy emanating from A strategy for the Irish language in An Garda Síochána -1998-02. This working group monitors and promotes the Irish language within the Garda Síochána. Expenditure on the Irish language for each of the past five years in the Garda Síochána is as follows: 2002 –€912,575.69; 2001 –€888,925.98; 2000 –€833,043.41; 1999 –€835,583.72; and 1998 –€717,641.03.