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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 14 Apr 2011

Vol. 730 No. 2

Adjournment Debate

Schools Refurbishment

Presentation De La Salle school in Bagenalstown was unsuccessful in its recent application under the summer works scheme, and is very unhappy about this decision as it has never received grant aid through a scheme. The funds for any work done have been raised through the generosity and goodwill of local people. Originally, the school submitted an application to the Department for the complete refurbishment of its home economics area through funding for emergency works and was advised to submit an application to the summer works scheme during the year.

Over the past while, the school has completed many roof repairs and these were completed through the generosity of local people. Over the years, the home economics room has been completely damaged by water leaks and the school felt the most sensible way to handle it was to organise the repairs itself because of the health and safety issues raised for the staff and pupils. It began by repairing the roof and then decided to make repairs to the electrical works and in mechanical areas also. All of the furnishings, floor coverings and utensils in the area date from prior to 1984 and are no longer fit for purpose.

The summer work scheme application described how the room does not meet modern day health and safety and hygiene standards. For example, with regard to food preparation there are no separate storage facilities for food. There are also serious deficiencies in the areas of mechanical and electrical installation. These two areas are used for prioritisation of schools in the summer works scheme but it seems the school did not meet the criteria. In its recent application, the school produced very clear photographic evidence of the work that needs to be completed.

This school has developed brilliantly in recent years and has seen a 100% increase in first year enrolment over the past three years. If this trend continues, the school will not be able to cater for the home economics curriculum. I encourage the Minister to re-examine the situation. If the school cannot avail of the summer works scheme is it possible for it to re-apply for funding for emergency works?

I congratulate Deputy Deering on his election. I am replying on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn.

I thank the Deputy for raising the matter as it provides me with an opportunity to outline to the House the level of investment by the Department over the past number of years in the scheme and to outline the position on the application from the Presentation De La Salle school in Bagenalstown, County Carlow for funding under the 2011 summer works scheme.

The summer works scheme was introduced in 2004. The purpose of the scheme is to devolve funding to individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works which, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school. Under the terms of the scheme, school authorities are empowered to manage these works with guidance from, and minimal interaction with, the Department.

Ten categories of works are eligible for funding under the scheme. These include gas, electrical, mechanical, projects to facilitate inclusion and access for special needs pupils, toilet facilities, roof works, window projects, curricular requirement projects, structural improvements and external environment projects. Since its introduction in 2004, over €550 million has been grant aided to schools under the summer works scheme. This has allowed the completion of over 4,000 projects in primary and post-primary schools.

Within the overall capital spend, the Minister is anxious to stress the importance of ensuring value for money and that allocations are made on the basis of overall needs, particularly having regard to the demographic demands that are in place. In this regard, a greater proportion of the schools capital budget will be spent on major capital works. In the context of meeting the demand for major capital projects, it was not possible to advance with a very large summer works programme this year. Due to the scale of demand in respect of the available funding, it was not possible to grant aid all applications. It has been necessary, therefore, to prioritise some categories of works, including gas, mechanical and electrical works, over others for funding.

In the case of the application from the Presentation De La Salle, it was unfortunately not possible to include the school for funding in the list of 453 successful schools that were announced on 30 March 2011. It will be open to the school authority to apply for funding for such works under future summer works schemes. In the meantime, for works that are of a very urgent nature, it is open to the school authority to consider if the works in question or part thereof qualify for funding under the Department's emergency works scheme. An emergency is deemed to be a situation which poses an immediate risk to health, life, property or the environment which is sudden, unforeseen and requires immediate action and, in the case of a school, if not corrected would prevent the school or part thereof from opening. Details of the scheme, together with an application form for grant assistance, can be accessed on the Department's website.

Since 2004, under the summer works scheme, the school has received in excess of €737,760 to carry out various improvements including fencing, external structural improvements, electrical upgrade and roof repairs. I again thank the Deputy for giving me the opportunity to outline the current position regarding the application for funding under the summer works scheme for the Presentation De La Salle school in Carlow.

Job Losses

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for giving Deputy Arthur Spring and me the opportunity to bring this matter before the House. I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Deputy John Perry.

This matter relates to the future of the 116 employees of the Aetna company in Castleisland who have been involved in consultation talks with the company for the past month concerning salvaging jobs in the company and proper remuneration of employees who might be affected by job losses. Aetna Incorporated is a US Fortune 100 company with headquarters at Hartford, Connecticut. The net profit of the company in 2010 was $1.8 million and its net profit in 2009 was $1.4 million. It has a worldwide workforce of 34,000.

The company has been operating out of its Castleisland base for the past 23 years. It is a highly successful operation with a highly skilled and dedicated workforce. During the consultation process the company held eight meetings with the employees' representatives over a 30 day period. After those meetings the company has made a paltry offer of redundancy payments amounting to two weeks pay per year and a lump sum of six weeks pay. The employees requested the Labour Relations Commission, LRC, to intervene. The LRC has written to the company inviting it to participate in talks immediately.

At this stage, time is of the essence. I urge the Minister of State, Deputy John Perry, and the Minister, Deputy Richard Bruton, to intervene and get Mr. Kieran Mulvey, the chief executive of the LRC, to appoint a chairperson as quickly as possible to resolve the current impasse. The victims are the employees of this company.

I echo the sentiments expressed by Deputy Tom Fleming. To put this matter in context, in 2008 Aetna celebrated the 20th anniversary of its presence in Castleisland. At the time, the president of Aetna Global Benefits, Martha R. Temple, said the Castleisland facility had gained an excellent reputation within Aetna as having a highly skilled and productive workforce and said: "we ... mark our 20th anniversary in Ireland with this expansion and a clear commitment for the future." That was only three years ago and the company's profits last year rose by 25%.

We now have a highly skilled, educated and motivated workforce which has worked in a place where not only was there an ethos of diligence, but there was no drama. The workforce performed in a manner that can only be described as exemplary. It is something that should be emulated in the region, which is now an unemployment blackspot.

A consultation process has taken place. The Deputies from north and south Kerry and west Limerick have met with the company's representatives but it appears that the job losses are a fait accompli. If this is the case, the consultation period should not be continued for a further two weeks as this will only give the company the means of smoothing the transfer, which is a global strategic change for the betterment of its balance sheet and no other purpose. It is at its peril that the company risks losing a skilled workforce and outsourcing its business to China, India and elsewhere, which it is considering.

Three Ministers must be notified of this matter, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Eamon Gilmore, and the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy James Reilly. The universal health care system offers the potential for redeploying this workforce within the State. They have experience, education and a proven track record in medical benefits systems. They have provided an exemplary service in the private sector and have an ethos and tacit knowledge that cannot be bought. We must seek to redeploy these people and bring this country to a better position.

The IDA has a role to play and I have brought the matter to its attention. A contingency plan is required. The IDA knows the company has international competitors and if it is willing to forgo the expertise built up over 23 years, the IDA should look at its competitors and companies in Ireland and ask them if there is a potential opportunity with this facility to redeploy these people and give something to north Kerry, west Limerick and west Cork. Ireland is in a black hole of economic depression and this international event is bad news. I ask for its assistance.

I thank the Deputies for raising this matter on the Adjournment. Aetna Ireland Incorporated is a subsidiary of US-based Aetna Incorporated, a leading company in the health care benefit sector. Aetna Ireland Inc. provides customer service, claim processing and plan sponsor support services for Aetna Global Benefits, the international insurance products and services division of Aetna Inc.

The company has had a branch at Tralee Road, Castleisland, County Kerry since 1988. Aetna Inc. acquired the company in 1998. In 2008, Aetna Ireland celebrated 20 years of operation in Castleisland and also announced its expansion for an additional 70 positions with the inclusion of a 24-hour support service for members of European based multinational corporations. It currently employs 105 workers in Castleisland, which is one of three claims processing and operations centres for the group, the others being in Tampa and Manila.

As required under section 12 of the Protection of Employment Acts 1977-2007, the company notified the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation of a collective redundancy situation on 8 March 2011. According to the company, it was proposing a cessation of its customer service, claim processing and plan sponsor support service operations in Castleisland, as part of a global initiative to reduce overall operating expenses, while achieving service efficiencies and maintaining a high level of service and support for AGB customers and providers. Aetna indicated that it was proposing to transfer the functions and operations currently performed in Castleisland to vendors located outside of Ireland. According to the company, the review of its international operations is still ongoing and no final decision on the Castleisland operation has been taken.

I assure the Deputies that IDA Ireland is engaged in discussion with the company in efforts to secure its Irish operation.

If the proposed transfer of functions and operations occurs, the company stated that it would no longer require the services of 102 employees in Castleisland. Aetna advised that the collective redundancies, if progressed, would be expected to arise during the period of late June to late October 2011. The company confirmed that it intended to consult employee representatives concerning matters related to the proposed redundancies, including the selection criteria that would be applied should the redundancies proceed as well as the method for calculating any redundancy payments, other than statutory redundancy.

Section 9 of the Protection of Employment Act 1977, as amended, makes it mandatory on employers proposing a collective redundancy to engage in an information and consultation process with employees' representatives, with a view to reaching an agreement. This process requires the employer to give the representatives a reasonable opportunity to revert with their proposals, having had an opportunity to consider the employer's initial proposals.

I understand the workers have elected an employee representative committee that, with a view to the mitigation, or avoidance, of the proposed redundancies, has responded to the company's proposals. Unfortunately, I understand that the parties have so far been unable to agree on any proposals to mitigate the proposed job losses. As well as being dissatisfied with the information and consultation process and its failure to mitigate the job losses, the employees have expressed dissatisfaction with the redundancy package offered by the company.

I understand that the employee representative committee has formally sought the assistance of the Labour Relations Commission in the dispute. The conciliation service of the commission has invited Aetna Ireland Inc. into talks and I understand that the company is considering the invitation and will revert to the commission as soon as possible.

Ireland's system of industrial relations is, essentially, voluntary in nature and responsibility for the resolution of industrial disputes between employers and workers, whether in redundancy or other collective disputes, rests with the employer, the workers and their representatives. The State provides the industrial relations dispute settlement services to support parties in their efforts to resolve their differences.

Even what often appears to be the most intractable of disputes is capable of resolution where both sides engage constructively and in good faith in this voluntary process. The principle of good faith implies that both sides in a dispute make every effort to reach an agreement and endeavour, through genuine and constructive negotiations, to resolve their differences.

I urge the parties involved in this dispute to work together to break the current impasse by utilising the established machinery for dispute resolution.

I thank Deputies Fleming and Spring for raising this important issue. The Minister will work closely with IDA Ireland to ensure something can be done positively to ensure their concerns are dealt with decisively.

National Monuments

This is a particularly important issue as the centenary of the 1916 Rising looms nearer every day.

Moore Street is an area that was very much part and parcel of the 1916 rebellion. As a result, a campaign, of which I was a participant, began several years ago to save No. 16 Moore Street, which was the last headquarters of the leaders before the final surrender. The previous Government agreed to designate Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street as a national monument. Therefore, there are two national monuments in the area: the GPO, which is directly associated with 1916; and Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street, which is the location of the final stage of the battle that took place there.

The National Graves Association has been very much to the forefront in leading the campaign, as has the Save 16 Moore Street campaign, which is headed by Mr. James Connolly Heron, the great-grandson of James Connolly, and relatives of the survivors of the 1916 rebellion and particularly of the signatories of the Proclamation.

Moore Street has become derelict over the years. The integrated area plan, that was established to develop O'Connell Street, Moore Street and the environs, was bedevilled by legal wrangles and as a result, in the years of the Celtic tiger the development that was supposed to take place never really took place. Apart from the enabling works by Dublin City Council in O'Connell Street where they improved it considerably, the work has not proceeded as it should have.

In March of this year, the property developer Mr. Joe O'Reilly, who headed up a consortium for Chartered Lands, secured planning permission for the development of the site. He has six years to carry out the development. However, many of us know that a number of Mr. O'Reilly's business loans with Irish banks are now in NAMA and there is a major question over Mr. O'Reilly's capacity to develop it.

The planning permission includes the demolition of some of the buildings surrounding the national monument and some of the fabric of Nos. 16 and Nos. 14 -17 Moore Street. I agree with the Save 16 Moore Street campaign that the entire terrace of houses should be conserved and that the backlands and the curtilage, which are an integral part of the national monument, should be preserved in that context.

We are only five years from the centenary commemoration and it is important that the Government declares its intention on how it will proceed with that objective of preserving the national monument and promoting it in the context of the centenary commemorations. The Shaffrey report commissioned by Dublin City Council contains many good ideas and recommendations. That remains the basis on which progress can be made, but the National Museum and Office of Public Works, and maybe the Heritage Council and the Government, need to get directly involved at this time to ensure that there is direct supervision over what takes place.

The private sector is unlikely to be in a position to proceed, one way or the other. The private sector planning application contains many flaws and at this time, we need to look at the entire monument. Dublin City Council passed a motion stating that there should be a museum on that site, but we must look at the entire monument with a view to seeing how it can be best conserved and developed in the context of the commemoration of the leaders of 1916.

I have raised the issue here in the past, but there is a new Government and it will be in place until 2016. It behoves the Government to take the initiative at an early stage to decide what will happen to those two national monuments to begin to prepare for the 1916 centenary, and that it be done in the most comprehensive and inclusive fashion to ensure that those monuments will be part and parcel of our heritage for the future and that we can build on that in a most respectful and patriotic way.

Ar dtús, gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Costello as ucht an ábhair tábhachtach seo a thógáil ar an Athló anseo tráthnóna.

The Government fully appreciates the historical significance of these buildings as the site of the last military actions of the leaders of the 1916 Rising following the evacuation of the GPO. No. 16 Moore Street, where the final council of war is believed to have been held, was the final headquarters of the Provisional Government which included five of the Proclamation signatories — Pearse, Connolly, Plunkett, Clarke and McDermott. Their courage and self-sacrifice laid the foundations for the establishment of the Irish State. The Deputy will be aware that plans to mark the centenary of the Easter Rising were discussed during Leaders' Questions on Tuesday. The Taoiseach who has visited the Moore Street monument site outlined his intention to establish before Easter a consultation group on the commemorative programme for the centenary celebrations in five years time. He indicated that membership of the group would extend beyond the Oireachtas to ensure it had a full understanding of the background and environment surrounding these momentous events. As he noted, this is an opportunity for the Oireachtas to be a party to sensitive and appropriate commemoration of the events of 1916 and consider the preservation and protection of the national monument in a sensitive and responsible way.

As far as 14-17 Moore Street are concerned, in January 2007 the then Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government placed a preservation order on the buildings under the National Monuments Acts. The order was made on the grounds that 16 Moore Street was a monument, the preservation of which was of national importance by reason of its historical significance. The purpose of the order is to ensure the preservation of 16 Moore Street in the context of wider redevelopment proposals centred on the former Carlton Cinema site. To achieve this objective the order also covers 14-17 Moore Street and includes the yards to the rear of 15 and 16 Moore Street, extending to 8 and 9 Moore Lane. The effect of the order is that works affecting these properties, including any excavation or ground disturbance within, around or in proximity to them, require the prior written consent of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government under the National Monuments Acts. The Minister is statutorily obliged to consult the director of the National Museum as part of the consent process. It is an offence for anyone to damage, injure, remove or carry out, or cause or permit work affecting the monument without the Minister's written consent.

An Bord Pleanála has made a decision to grant permission, with conditions, for a mixed development on the former Carlton Cinema site which includes the Moore Street monument. That permission in no way supersedes the preservation order in place and the consent of the Minister will still be required in accordance with section 14 of the National Monuments Act 1930 for any works affecting the area covered by the order. While consent has been given by the Minister from time to time for minor works to protect and maintain the fabric of these buildings, to date no application for consent related to the proposed major development has been received. The proposed development of the site, in accordance with the permission granted by An Bord Pleanála, envisages the retention of 14-17 Moore Street and, subject to Ministerial consent under the National Monuments Acts, to 16 Moore Street becoming a commemorative centre. This also accords with the objective of the Dublin City Council development plan to have the building in museum use.

In summary, the protection of 14-17 Moore Street as a national monument is secure and in place. The Deputy can be assured that the appropriateness of any proposed works affecting these buildings will be carefully considered in the light of all relevant factors and recommendations if and when a development related consent application is submitted for approval.

Stráiteise 20 bliain don Ghaeilge

Ba mhaith liom tréaslú leis an Aire Stáit as ucht a cheapadh mar Aire. Tá a fhios agam gur fear díograiseach, fear Gaeltachta agus gaeilgeoir dílis is ea é. Caithfidh mé a rá, áfach, go bhfuil mé thar a bheith buartha faoi threo an Rialtais i leith na Gaeilge. Go deimhin fhéin, tá sé sin léirithe cheana féin. Cé go bhfuil an-chuid oibre déanta san Oireachtas seo ag an Aire Stáit, an Teachta McGinley, don Ghaeilge agus don Ghaeltacht thar na blianta, níor tugadh ach post sóisearach dó. Caithfidh mé a rá gur cheap mé go raibh post sinsearach tuillte aige. Cheap mé go gcloífeadh páirtithe an Rialtais leis an socrú a bhí déanta go mbeadh Aire sinsearach le freagracht laethúil as an Ghaeilge ag bord an Rialtais. Níor tharla sé sin, ar ndóigh. Ba é sin an chéad chéim ar chúl. Níl aon mhilleán ar an Aire mar ní raibh sé freagrach as ceapadh na nAirí. Cásaím leis nár tugadh an gradam gur cheart a thabhairt dó.

Tá mé thar a bheith buartha faoi sheasamh eile atá ag an Rialtas nua. Mar iar-mhúinteoir scoile, tuigeann an tAire Stáit an méid atá á rá agam. Tá Fine Gael ag rá nár cheart an phríomhtheanga náisiúnta a mhúineadh ag leibhéal na hardteiste do chuile ghasúr i scoileanna na tíre seo. Ní heol dom aon tír eile ar domhain nach múineann a céad teanga oifigiúil go chuile ghasúr sa tír sin, go leibhéal na hardteiste agus mar bhunábhar scoile. Ar ndóigh, caithfidh mé a rá go gcreidim gur cheart go múinfí an Béarla, mar an dara teanga náisiúnta, go dtí an leibhéal céanna.

An tríú rud a chuireann an-imní orm ná chuile uair a chuirtear ceist ar an Aire Stáit faoi feidhmeanna fiontraíochta Údarás na Gaeltachta, tugtar freagraí diamhra. Tá a fhios agam nach ar an Aire Stáit atá an milleán. Dá mbeadh sé freagrach as an gcinneadh, cinnte fágfadh sé na feidhmeanna leis an údarás. Nuair a bhíomar sa Rialtas, tháinig brú ó bhuanrialtas an státchórais chun na feidhmeanna fiontraíochta a bhogadh, ach chuireamar ina aghaidh. Go deimhin, scríobhamar go sonrach sa straitéis go bhfágfaí na cúraimí atá ag an údarás agus ag Roinn na Gaeltachta mar atá siad agus go gcuirfí leo. Thuigeamar go dtriallfadh an státchóras é sin a athrú nuair a bheadh Aire nua ann. Is léir go bhfuil troid idir lámha ag an Aire Stáit, an Teachta McGinley, anois. Gheobhaidh sé tacaíocht an Fhreasúra má chuireann sé troid suas. Caithfear na feidhmeanna sin a choinneáil, ach caithfidh mé a rá go bhfuil mé thar a bheith buartha faoi threo na gaoithe agus an éiginnteacht sna freagraí atá mé ag fáil ón Aire Stáit.

Tá mé buartha freisin faoin méarfhadachas a bhaineann le cur i bhfeidhm na straitéise. Dúirt an tAire Stáit go gcaithfidh chuile rud fanacht ar an reachtaíocht. Tá a fhios agam go dtógann reachtaíocht tamall, ach tuigim go raibh cuid mhaith oibre déanta ar chinn an Bhille roimhe seo. Tá súil agam go bhfoilseofaí cinn an Bhille go luath. Ar ndóigh, níl sa reachtaíocht ach cuid an-bheag de ghníomhú na straitéise. Is féidir dul ar aghaidh le ghníomhú na straitéise láithreach i go leor gnéithe den saol. Mar is eol don Aire Stáit, tá caibidil sa straitéis a dhéanann plé le cúrsaí Rialtais. Tá roinnt áirithe oibre déanta againn ar sin. Tá caibidlí eile a bhaineann leis na meáin, na heagraíochtaí deonacha, an pobal Gaeltachta, an Garda Síochána, an tArm agus cursaí oideachais. Is féidir go leor gnéithe den straitéis a chur i bhfeidhm gan reachtaíocht. Ní áirím aon fhloscadh chun oibre. Tá an scéal á thabhairt dúinn go bhfoilseofar an reachtaíocht i 2012. I dTithe an Oireachtais, faoin am go mbeidh an reachtaíocht sin tríd, d'fhéadfadh sé mhí eile a bheith i gceist. Cuireann sé sin imní an tsaoil orm.

Ba mhaith liom labhairt faoi ghné eile den mhéid a dúirt an tAire Stáit níos luaithe, agus an méid atá ráite go ginearálta. Cé gur chaitheamar an-chuid ama ag plé leis an straitéis, tá rudaí nach bhfuil sa straitéis gur mian liom go pearsanta go mbeidís ann. Is é a bhí sa straitéis ná an méid a bhíomar sásta go bhféadfadh an Rialtas cur i bhfeidhm. Níl na rudaí gur mhian le gach duine sa straitéis. An fáth a foilsíodh mar dhréacht é — thóg sé breis ama — ná go mbeadh comhaontú agus tacaíocht iomlán don straitéis i measc na páirtithe éagsúla sa Teach seo, agus go gcuirfí i bhfeidhm go hiomlán í. Is cosúil ón méid a dúirt an tAire Stáit inniu agus an méid atá ráite go bhfeiceann sé an straitéis mar chineál biachlár, nó menu as ar féidir rudaí áirithe a phiocadh, seachas rud atá le cur i bhfeidhm go hiomlán. An fáth gur thóg sé an oiread ama an straitéis a thabhairt chun cinn ná go rabhamar ag iarraidh teacht ar straitéis a d'fhéadfaimís cur i bhfeidhm go hiomlán. Ar ndóigh, níl sé sin ar bun.

Tá faitíos orm go bhfuil gnéithe eile den straitéis nach gcuirfear i bhfeidhm. Deirtear nach raibh an rogha ag an Rialtas é sin a dhéanamh. Tuigim gur tugadh tacaíocht don straitéis ag an gcoiste eadránach agus go raibh éileamh ón bhFreasúra ag an am go mbeadh breis rudaí sa straitéis. Ní thiocfainn in aghaidh cuid de na rudaí breise a bhí molta. Ba é an tuairim a bhí againn ag an am ná nach bhféadfaí iad sin a bhaint amach, in ainneoin ár ndícheall, ach go bhféadfaí gach aon rud atá sa straitéis a dhéanamh. Mura ndéanfaimid é, ní éireoidh leis an straitéis. Is straitéis chomhtháite atá i gceist. Má thosaítear céim ar chéim rudaí a bhaint amach as an straitéis, agus iad a chur ar leataobh, ní eireoidh leis an straitéis. Tá sé spéisiúil breathnú siar ar an mbliain 1894. Bhí plé faoi chúrsaí airgid go mór sa treis i measc aosa óig na linne sin.

Bhí ceist na Gaeilge faoi chaibidil ag an am sin freisin. Go fad téarmach, is mó tionchar a bhí ag an troid faoin nGaeilge ar thodhchaí na tíre agus ar leas agus rath tíre ná mar a bhí ag aighneas airgid a bhfuil dearmad déanta air fadó. Mar sin, d'iarrfainn ar an Aire Stáit a dhearbhú go dtabharfar tosaíocht don Ghaeilge anois, nach gcuirfear ar an méar fhada í i ngeall ar bhrú airgid agus go ndéanfar cinnte go gcuirfear an straitéis i bhfeidhm go hiomlán. Má dhéanfar sin beidh tacaíocht iomlán Pháirtí Fhianna Fáil aige.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as a fhoclaíocht chomhgairdeachais. Tá mise abhus anseo agus é féin thall ansin agus is minic a bhí mise ar an taobh eile chomh maith.

Athnaítear sa straitéis 20 bliain don Ghaeilge, a bhfuil tacaíocht traspháirtí aici, go mbeidh gá le cur chuige céimneach chun bearta éagsúla na straitéise a chur i gcrích thar tréimhse 20 bliain, agus is tréimhse 20 bliain atá i gceist.

Is cúis sásaimh dom a chur in iúl go bhfuil an coiste Rialtas faoin Ghaeilge agus faoin Ghaeltacht athbhunaithe ag an Rialtas faoi chathaoirleacht an Taoisigh agus go raibh an chéad chruinniú den choiste Rialtais ann ar maidin. Ag an gcéad chruinniú inniu, rinneadh plé ar na féidearthachtaí maidir le cur i bhfeidhm na straitése. Tá mo Roinn chun roinnt moltaí maidir leis na féidearthachtai seo agus na roghanna a bhaineann leo a ullmhú don chéad chruinniú eile den choiste Rialtais.

Sa tréimhse amach romhainn, déanfaidh an coiste Rialtais maoirseóireacht ar an dul chun cinn maidir le cur i bhfeidhm na straitéise agus beidh grúpa oifigeach sinsearach ó na Ranna Rialtais cuí ag tabhairt tacaíochta don choiste Rialtais. Chomh maith leis sin, tá aonad straitéise bunaithe i mo Roinnse ó thús na bliana seo, mar atá molta sa straitéis. Tá an t-aonad straitéise freagrach as maoirseacht a dhéanamh ar an bpróiseas pleanála straitéise agus ar phleananna oibríochta ó na comhlachtaí forfheidhmithe, chomh maith le cinntiú go ndéantar feidhmiú trasrannach ar thionscnaimh agus monatóireacht ar fhorbairt acmhainní. Go bunúsach, tá an t-aonad straitéise ag tabhairt aghaidh go córasach ar na céimeanna is gá a thógáil le cinntiú go gcuirtear an straitéis i bhfeidhm.

Maidir leis na bearta atá idir lámha i mo Roinnse chun an straitéis a chur i gcrích, tá dréachtphlean forfheidhmithe do chur i bhfeidhm na straitéise i mbliana curtha i dtoll a chéile ag an aonad straitéise. Chomh maith leis seo, tá na céimeanna tosaigh a dtógál ag an aonad straitéise i ndáil le hullmhú na dréacht-reachtaíochta faoin mBille Gaeltachta. Táthar ag súil, ach cead an Rialtais a bheith ar fáil di, go bhfoilseofar an dréacht-reachtaíocht i 2012, de réir phlean reachtaíochta an Rialtais. Tá roinnt grúpaí oibre bunaithe nó ar tí a bheith bunaithe idir oifigigh san aonad straitéise i mo Roinn agus oifigigh i Ranna agus i gcomhlachtaí poiblí eile chun tosaíochtaí na straitéise a chur chun cinn.

Is léir, mar sin, go bhfuil dul chun cinn á dhéanamh agus go bhfuil aghaidh á thabhairt ar na céimeanna is gá a thógáil d'fhonn an straitéis a chur i bhfeidhm laistigh de na hacmhainní teoranta atá ar fáil san aeráid eacnamaioch reatha.

Mar atá ráite sa chlár Rialtais, tá sé i gceist ag an Rialtas athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar churaclam na Gaeilge agus ar mhúineadh na Gaeilge ag an mbunleibhéal agus ag an dara leibhéal. Tá se beartaithe faoin gclár Rialtais go ndéanfar athbhreithniú ar an gcuraclam chun níos mó béime a chur ar scileanna labhartha agus cluastuisceana. Tá sé beartaithe freisin faoin gclár Rialtais go dtabharfar 50% de na marcanna don bhéaltriail ag leibhéal na hardteistiméireachta. Chomh maith leis sin, tá sé mar aidhm againn faoin gclár Rialtais líon na ndaltaí atá ag déanamh staidéir ar an nGaeilge don ardleibhéal ag an ardteistiméireacht a mhéadú faoi dhó faoin mbliain 2018.

Tá sé molta sa Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030 go mbunófaí Údarás Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta, dár teideal Údarás na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta, a ghníomhódh ar bhonn náisiúnta agus a chomhlíonfadh feidhmeanna ábhartha a dhéanann Údarás na Gaeltachta agus eagraíochtaí Stáit agus neamhrialtasacha eile i láthair na huaire, de réir mar is cuí. Tá sé ráite sa straitéis freisin go leagfar síos ról sonrach agus feidhmeanna sonracha an údaráis mholta nua i ndréacht-reachtaíocht.

Mar atá raite faoin gclár Rialtais, tá an Rialtas ag tabhairt tacaíochta don straitéis 20 bliain maidir leis na spriocanna indéanta áta luaite ann a chur i gcrích. Mar áta ráite cheana agam, tá na céimeanna tosaigh á dtógáil i mo Roinn i ndáil le hullmhú na dréacht-reachtaíochta faoin mBille Gaeltachta agus táthar ag súil go bhfoilseofar an dréacht-reachtaíocht i 2012, de réir phlean reachtaíochta an Rialtais.

Tuigim go maith na dúshláin agus na constaicí a gcaithfidh Údarás na Gaeltachta dul i ngleic leo sa timpeallacht achrannach ghnó atá i bhfeidhm faoi láthair. Níl amhras ar bith ach go bhfuil an ghéarchéim eacnamaíoch naisiúnta agus domhanda ag cruthú deacrachtaí do chomhlachtaí sa Ghaeltacht agus tá impleachtaí dá réir ann do chúrsaí fostaíochta. É sin ráite, caithfear nótáil gurb é an Rialtas deiridh, a raibh an Teachta mar bhall de, a laghdaigh an soláthar airgid chaipitil atá á fháil ag Údarás na Gaeltachta ó €27 milliún i 2006 go €18 milliún i 2010, agus a laghdaigh an soláthar céanna arís go tubaisteach go dtí €6 mhilliún i 2011. Tá an Teachta Ó Cuív ag tabhairt faoin Rialtas nach bhfuil istigh ach cúpla seachtain. Níl sé dáiríre. Nach dtabharfadh sé cúpla bliain dúinn.

Mar fhocal scoir, is féidir liom a rá go bhfuil an Rialtas tiomanta don Ghaeilge agus don Ghaeltacht. Tá spéis an Taoisigh sna cúrsaí seo thar a bheith soiléir agus an coiste Rialtais faoin nGaeilge agus faoin nGaeltacht athbhunaithe aige agus gan é istigh ach cúpla seachtain.

Beidh mise mar Aire Stáit ag obair go dlúth leis an Aire Deenihan agus leis an gcoiste Rialtais le cinntiú go ndéanfar gach ní gur féidir ar mhaithe leis an nGaeilge agus leis an nGaeltacht. É sin ráite, caithfimid cuimhneamh gur am corrach atá ann ó thaobh na heacnamaíochta de agus dá bhrí sin, caithfimid a chinntiú go bhfuil an státchiste ag fáil an luach is fearr ar airgead ó na hacmhainní atá leithdháilte don Ghaeilge agus don Ghaeltacht faoi látháir.

Tá an t-am crua agus níl éinne sa Teach seo is mó a thuigeann é sin ná an Teachta féin, a lig don bhuiséad a theacht anuas ó €26 milliún go €6 mhilliún i mbliana. Is bocht an oidhreacht atá fágtha agamsa, mar Aire Stáit. Is bocht ar fad é. Sílim gur chóir don Teachta a leithscéal a ghabháil. Caithfidh mé mo dhícheall a dhéanamh leis na hacmhainní an-teoranta a d'fhág Rialtas an Teachta le huacht agam sula ndeachaigh sé anonn go dtí an taobh eile den Teach. Is féidir leis suí siar anois agus na lámha a chroitheadh ach caithfimid-ne an sparán a úsáid chomh maith agus chomh héifeachtach agus is féidir linn. Tá gach rún againn é sin a dhéanamh. Tá tacaíocht an Taoisigh agus tacaíocht an Aire agam. Tá mise im' Aire Stáit ach tá Aire atá an-fhábharach don Ghaeilge ag tábla an Rialtais. Tharla sin i gcás an Teachta féin nuair a bhí an Teachta Síle de Valera ina hAire agus é féin ina Aire Stáit. History does repeat itself.

Níor chreid mé ariamh go mba réiteach sásúil é sin, ó thaobh na Gaeilge de. Chuaigh mé chuig an Taoiseach agus thairg mé sin tar éis olltoghcháin 2007.

Is féidir leis an Teachta é sin a rá inniu, deich mbliana ina dhiaidh, ach sin mar a tharla sé.

Mar a chonaic an t-Aire Stáit, athraíodh é sin agus bhí Aire i mbun na Gaeilge ó 2007 i leith.

The Dáil adjourned at 5.30 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 19 April 2011.
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