Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2004
289 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children 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. [13569/04]
View answerThe Department of Health and Children will meet its statutory obligations in relation to the Official Languages Act 2003. In so far as the provision of services through Irish is concerned, this Department intends to prepare a scheme in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Act. The process for preparing such schemes will, I understand, be initiated by the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
While costings have not as yet been estimated, the Department of Health and Children will be assessing costs as part of the process of preparing its scheme for the delivery of services through Irish.
290 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children 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. [13584/04]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Official Languages Act 2003 provides for the preparation in due course by each of the bodies under the aegis of my Department, of a scheme for the delivery of services to the general public through the Irish language. The Act places a statutory obligation on each public body to make specific provision for the integrated delivery of services through a statutory planning framework, known as a "scheme", which will be agreed on a three year renewable basis between the head of the body concerned and the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. Until such time as the schemes have been finalised it is not possible to prepare meaningful estimates of the costs which may arise from the implementation of the Act.
