Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2004
158 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has prepared an estimate of the cost to his Department of implementing the provisions of the Official Languages Act 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13564/04]
View answer159 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Finance if estimates have been prepared by the public bodies funded by his Department in regard to the cost of implementing the provisions of the Official Languages Act 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13579/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 159 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 across the Civil Service through Gaeleagras, by means of Irish classes and providing advice and assistance for developing and implementing bilingual services to the public.
The provisions of the Official Languages Act 2003 are being introduced on a phased basis. The Act provides for the preparation in due course by my Department, and by each of the bodies under its aegis, of schemes for the delivery of their services to the public in the Irish language. I am informed that the Department of Community, Gaeltacht and Rural Affairs is preparing guidelines to assist public bodies in preparing these schemes. When the guidelines are finalised, it is anticipated that the first tranche of public bodies will be asked to prepare draft schemes for approval by the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
When my Department has prepared its draft scheme, it will be in a position to estimate the additional cost to the Department of implementing the provisions of the Official Languages Act. A similar situation pertains to the public bodies funded by the Department.
