Written Answers. - Decentralisation Programme.
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:
439
Mr. O'Dowd
asked the
Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
the reason he did not decentralise jobs to the Kerry, Cork or Waterford Gaeltachts; the proposals he has to bring extra employment to these areas in view of the cutbacks in Údarás na Gaeltachta's budget for job creation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[30038/03]
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:
440
Mr. O'Dowd
asked the
Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
the reason he did not relocate his Department headquarters to a Gaeltacht area.
[30039/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 439 and 440 together.
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, all my Department's functions in relation to the Gaeltacht and the islands are already headquartered in a Gaeltacht area at Na Forbacha in County Galway. Under the decentralisation programme announced by the Minister for Finance in his Budget Statement on 3 December last, a further complement of ten staff responsible for Irish language policy matters in Dublin will transfer to Na Forbacha. This will mean that the vast bulk of my Department's Irish language, Gaeltacht and islands functions, which are administered through the medium of Irish, will be located in the Gaeltacht.
In this context, the Deputy may wish to note that Section 13 of Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 includes a provision that Departments and public offices located in a Gaeltacht area will be required to exercise their functions through the medium of Irish.
I am satisfied that the choice of Knock Airport as the location for a further 140 staff of my Department, who deliver services through the medium of English, is eminently suitable having regard to my Department's particular role as regards rural and western development and the achievement of better regional balance, particularly as it is in a CLÁR area.
In the interest of consolidating my Departments section dealing with the Irish language in one location, it was decided to relocate ten positions to the existing office in Na Forbacha. Other than Foras na Gaeilge, no other agency that would comply with the requirements of the language Act is being decentralised.
With regard to the Deputy's reference to job creation in Gaeltacht areas, I outlined the position on this in my replies to a number of questions on 27 November last.
In regard to Údarás na Gaeltachta's budget for 2004, the position is that I have provided €10.193 million for current expenditure, representing an increase of 17% over 2003. This will allow an tÚdarás to assist further the development of crèches, nursery schools, co-operatives and community organisations in accordance with the recommendations contained in the report of Coimisiún na Gaeltachta.
I have also provided a capital grant of €22 million for 2004 towards the industry and building programmes of an tÚdarás. A report prepared by consultants on the property and equity portfolios of an tÚdarás states that assets to the value of €20 million could be sold over a period of time without adversely affecting the organisation. It is estimated that an tÚdarás will raise a significant sum from the sale of property in 2004. I am confident that this revenue, along with the €22 million in my Department's Vote, will enable an tÚdarás to continue to implement a comprehensive development programme, aimed at sustaining and creating employment in the Gaeltacht.
Furthermore, my Department, in partnership with Údarás na Gaeltachta, is continuing to actively examine the recommendations of the working group on the creation of employment in the Gaeltacht which was published last December to determine how they can be most effectively implemented.
Other initiatives being pursued by Údarás na Gaeltachta include targeting new sectors of the economy and placing greater emphasis on high skills and on the resources of the Gaeltacht itself, including the Irish language particularly in view of the enactment of the language Act.
