Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2004
399 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government 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. [13572/04]
View answer400 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government 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. [13587/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 399 and 400 together.
The Official Languages Act 2003 will be implemented as part of the ongoing administration of my Department and as required under the terms of the Act. Separate estimates of the cost to my Department of this implementation have not been prepared. My Department is committed to providing quality services in Irish and English as outlined in the customer service action plan 2001-04. Guidance is provided to assist staff in arranging for the translation of documents into Irish, mechanisms are in place to measure and report on the service being provided in Irish and attendance at Irish language courses by staff is supported.
Implementation of the Act by the 17 agencies under the aegis of my Department and by local authorities is a matter for each individual organisation concerned.
