The directly applicable provisions of the Official Languages Act 2003 have commenced. The remaining provisions will be given effect by means of regulations to be made by the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and a scheme is to be prepared by my Department under sections 11 to 18, inclusive, of the Act. The scheme will set out how the Department will implement the Act over the next three years. The costs so far have been minimal and it is not possible to prepare an estimate of the full costs involved in any year until this Department's scheme has been finalised.