Other Questions.
79 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will make it a priority to ask the Irish language forum to report at the earliest possible date with short-term strategic priorities for the preservation and promotion of the Irish language within the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27992/04]
View answer129 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made to date by the Irish language forum; if he has received a report from the forum; the number of meetings held by the forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27991/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 129 together.
Deputies will be aware that the role of Fóram na Gaeilge is to advise me on the advisability of preparing a 20-year strategic plan with realistic goals for the Irish language in the State; the short-term strategic priorities for the preservation and the promotion of the Irish language within the State; the priorities regarding the implementation of the Official Languages Act; and the best and most practical ways to achieve progress with regard to the implementation of that work. Arising from that, it is hoped that there will be a more integrated approach among the main community and State organisations that promote the Irish language and a greater degree of co-ordination to their work.
There have been two meetings of Fóram na Gaeilge to date. I have asked the members to submit their views on the development of an Irish language plan and related short-term priority issues. There has been a good response to this from the members, and officials of my Department are examining the various submissions. Consideration is also being given to the options for developing a framework, with assistance and advice from the forum, for a broad plan for the Irish language that would include strategic priorities for its preservation and promotion within the State. I anticipate that this work will be brought forward over the coming months.
It makes sense that the first matter Fóram na Gaeilge should address is the short-term strategic measures, rather than a 20-year strategic plan. That is important. To return to the issue of research, we are making assumptions about the Irish language and do not know what people think. The Minister spoke about research being a measure of something on a day, but I am talking about qualitative research which will inform us of people's exact opinions. The research should be widely based so that we can be aware of them. When we do this we will understand better the problem that must be addressed.
We must inculcate in people an attitude of ownership of the language. That is essential. The language does not belong to an elite or to small groups, but to all of us. If we do not engage with the population at large through a countrywide, open and frank debate where if people express a view that does not coincide with——
I remind the Deputy that supplementary questions are limited to one minute.
Is it not logical that Fóram na Gaeilge should focus on the short-term objectives and priorities and get going on those? We are losing the battle and there is no time to be lost.
One minute the Deputy wants me to spend years on research and strategy and——
I did not say that.
——the next minute take the short-term view. What I have been doing over my period as Minister of State and as Minister is developing coherent policies. These have to be implemented piecemeal as the opportunity occurs, but they form part of a coherent approach to the language. One thing we must do, because it has not been done since the early 1920s, if it was ever cogently done, is lay out the State's policy. We are elected and should set out the State's policy towards the Irish language in 2004 and for the future.
Nobody has laid out the policy so it would be beneficial if we, as the elected Government, set out our stall. We could then debate the issue and know what we aim to do and the objective. In the early years of the State, the replacement of English by the Irish language was the stated policy, but that policy has long since disappeared. However, it is fair to say that people have only a vague idea of the State's policy on the Irish language. I do not only mean the policy of the Government but of Governments over the past 30 or 40 years. It is time we stated our policy clearly.
The policy must be set out as a long-term policy. Arising from that policy we should decide our long-term and short-term objectives. From that we can consolidate the short-term steps that must be taken. The Deputy is right that the policy to appoint——
I remind the Minister that his answers are also subject to a one minute time limit.
What is the Minister's view on the preservation of the Irish language with regard to it being a factor in applying for planning permission for once-off housing in the Gaeltacht?
That question will arise later. We cannot deal with it now.
Tá a fhios agam go mbaineann Ceist Uimh. 81 leis an ábhar céanna, ach tá baint ag mo cheist le Ceist Uimh. 79 freisin so I would like to continue. What is the Minister's attitude towards the Irish language being a factor in the allocation of tenancies of local authority houses or affordable housing in Gaeltacht areas?
I will be brief. I support the objective laid out clearly in the law that in drawing up plans, local and regional authorities must seek to preserve the cultural and linguistic heritage of the Gaeltacht. How they do that under the law is a question for them, not for the Minister of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. There seems to be some misunderstanding——
I only asked what was the Minister's attitude.
My attitude is clear, there is an absolute obligation on local authorities to comply with the law, which clearly states the objective of taking language criteria into account in making planning decisions. The law passed by this House is clear and all of us must support the local authority in upholding it.
What is the Minister's opinion of it? Has he an opinion?
I have a clear opinion. The law is clear on the issue.
Cuirfidh mé ceist eile arCheist Uimh. 81.
Thagair an tAire, ina fhreagra roimhe seo, don pholasaí teanga ó bunaíodh an Stát. An aontaíonn an tAire liom gurb é an dúshlán a bhí againn nuair a bunaíodh an Stát an Ghaeilge a thabhairt chun cinn taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht? Má bhreathnaítear ar rudaí mar atá siad anois, tá ag éirí measartha maith leis an polasaí taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht. D'fhéadfaí tagairt a dhéanamh do Ghaelscoltacha agus mar sin. Tá an dúshlán tar éis athrú go dtí an Ghaeltacht. Caithfear dul i bhfeidhm ar aos óg na Gaeltachta. An bhféadfadh an tAire a insint don Teach cad iad na pleananna atá ag a Roinn nó ag an Rialtas le dul i bhfeidhm ar aos óg na Gaeltachta leis an teanga atá acu a chaomhnú agus a choinneáil?
Tugaim creidiúnt don dream a bhunaigh an Stát ar an dá thaobh den chlaí polaitíochta. Rinneadar a ndícheall. Aineoinn an rud a deirtear go coitianta, is é mo bharúil agus mé ag breathnú ar na figiúirí, go mbeadh an Ghaeilge básaithe i bhfad ó shin murach na hiarrachtaí a rinne siad. Is iontach an rud le rá go bhfuil i bhfad os cionn milliún duine sa tír a deir go bhfuil Gaeilge acu. Sin suirbhé eolaíochta mar tá an t-eolas sin againn ó na daonáirimh.
Maidir leis an nGaeltacht agus an nGalltacht, mar a tugtaí air — b'fhéidir gur droch théarma é sin — in imeacht ama tá brúnna nach beag ar an nGaeltacht de bharr go bhfuil daoine ag bogadh isteach is amach. Tá daoine ag teacht chun cónaí san nGaeltacht agus daoine ón nGaeltacht á fhágáil. Ceann des na fáthanna go bhfuil an Ghaeilge láidrithe taobh amuigh den nGaeltacht ná go bhfuil daoine ón nGaeltacht bogtha taobh amuigh den nGaeltacht seachas dul ar imirce le blianta beaga. Tá dúshláin dochreidte sa nGaeltacht, agus tá mé ag iarraidh aghaidh a thabhairt orthu. Mar is eol do Theachtaí, tá mé ag breathnú ar leasuithe bunúsacha a chur ar scéim labhairt na Gaeilge. Tá obair nach beag déanta leis na naíonraí agus na cúntóirí teanga. Tá scéim phíolótach do chuairteoirí baile tosaithe anois, agus dírím isteach ar naíonlanna, nó crèches, mar sin an áit is túisce a dtéanns gasúir anois. Tá mé tar éis scéim na gcampaí samhraidh a chur ar aghaidh i mbliana agus airgead a thabhairt d'Údarás na Gaeltachta chun obair a dhéanamh leis na clubanna óige. Tá mé tar éis airgead a thabhairt do dhaoine le tosú i mbun pleanála teanga ar leibhéal an phobail. Tá an tAcht teanga againn.
Tá go leor rudaí ar bun, agus is é ceann de na rudaí a gcaithfimid a fhoghlaim faoi na rudaí seo ná nach bhfeicfear a thoradh sin ach go ceann cúig bliana nó deich mbliana. Mar sin, má tá muid dáiríre faoin gceist seo, caithfimid bheith sásta bheith ann don mbóthar fada. Ró-mhinic i stair an Stáit seo, caitheadh rud i dtraipisí nuair nár éirigh leis míorúilt a dhéanamh thar oíche. Tá súil agam, cibé duine a thiocfas i m'áit nuair a imeos mé, go leanfar le polasaí fadtéarmach agus go dtuigfidh daoine nach mbeidh toradh ar na rudaí atá á gcur in áit agam muna bhfágfar ann iad agus muna dtabharfar seans don phacáiste iomlán ar feadh tamaill mhaith de bhlianta.
The Minister stated that on the one hand I ask him to take long-term measures and, on the other, to take short-term measures. There is nothing essentially wrong with that. Having examined the terms of reference of Fóram na Gaeilge, I see it as more important that the short-term strategic objectives be first set before the Minister and that he implements them. The 20-year strategy is a long-term one. We need action now.
The Minister dealt with the census and mentioned that more than 1 million people speak the Irish language.
They know the Irish language. There are not more than 1 million people who say they speak it. We need to be accurate about that.
We certainly need to be accurate about it.
They claim they know it. Usage is another question.
My point is that the answers to the questions in the census are subjective. How does one measure fluency on the basis of what is said by a fluent speaker and what is said by somebody who speaks very little Irish? There is no way of measuring that, although the Central Statistics Office stands over the validity of its findings. However, each person answers that question according to his or her own standards and criteria. I wish it were so but I do not believe the position is as strong as it seems.
I do not see why the Minister has a problem with what I suggest. Fóram na Gaeilge should report first with the short-term objectives and the Minister should implement them quickly because things are not going well and we need to change that.
Beidh mise i bfhad ní ba ghaire d'anailís an Teachta McGinley. There are very good signs in certain areas and huge threats in other areas. It is not all in one direction. That is one of the complexities of the issue.
There were complaints about committees and studies. I confirm that on language issues there is only one study, namely, the staidéar teangeolaíochta. This is a time for action. The committee is purely advisory and I envisage it being available to advise Ministers in the future. However, it will not constrain me at any time from taking action because the power to take action remains with the Minister. I have consistently taken action. In the past five years there has been a consistent roll-out of action. It is important for the State to define what the objective is and I am surprised that the Deputy is not fully supportive of this. I believe that when he reflects on it he will see the logic of it. The objective is not that of the 1920s and 1930s. My point is that we cannot have even short-term strategies in a coherent framework unless we decide where this nation wants to go regarding the language.
One interesting fact I heard yesterday is that many asylum seekers are particularly interested in our culture. It is important therefore, for people coming into this country as well, that there is a clear statement regarding where the Irish language fits into our future. Time and again I have articulated a bilingual view. No child in this country should be deprived of a full knowledge of the English language, a fantastic world resource. I am also very strongly of the view that it is increasingly possible, particularly with modern technology, that neither should any child in this country be denied an opportunity to be fluent in the Irish language, and that bilingualism is a realistic norm to aim at. It must be stated clearly what it is we are trying to achieve.
80 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will make provision in the 2005 budget for the fulfilment of the commitment to support the community and voluntary sector as outlined in the White Paper. [28003/04]
View answer89 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason for the delay in delivering on the promises outlined in the White Paper on supporting voluntary activity. [28000/04]
View answer101 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position with regard to progress on implementing the recommendations of the White Paper on a framework for supporting voluntary activity and for developing the relationship between the State and the community and voluntary sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27970/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 80, 89 and 101 together.
Considerable progress has been achieved regarding the implementation of recommendations in the White Paper on a Framework for Supporting Voluntary Activity and for Developing the Relationship between the State and the Community and Voluntary Sector.
Core funding recommendations in the White Paper are being addressed. For example, in September 2003 I announced some €7.3 million in funding to 56 organisations in the community and voluntary sector over a three year period under schemes to support the role of federations, networks and umbrella bodies and to provide training and supports to the sector; funding of €1.43 million per annum is being channelled to the anti-poverty networks; and funding of some €1.28 million per annum is being provided for the continuing development of the highly successful community and voluntary fora, established as an important element of the local government reform process.
In the matter of policy recommendations arising from the White Paper a consultation paper on one of its most important recommendations entitled Establishing a Modern Statutory Framework for Charities was posted on my Department's website on 17 December last. In early February I formally launched a public consultation on the issue and a notice inviting submissions was placed in the national newspapers. The public consultation will inform the development of the forthcoming legislation in this area. In recent weeks I was pleased to publish the external report on the public consultation.
Deputies will also be aware that an implementation and advisory group comprising representatives from the voluntary and statutory sectors was established to monitor and advise on the implementation of the White Paper. Substantive matters considered to date by the IAG include the multiplicity of funding sources through which the sector must operate, the designation of voluntary activity units in relevant Government Departments, accreditation of training in the sector, support for volunteering and the establishment of good practice standards in both the community and voluntary sector and the statutory sector.
The White Paper indicated that a review of the IAG should take place after a three year period. Work on this review is continuing in my Department.
I have tabled a number of questions on this area. It is a grey area of Government policy and the Minister's reply is insufficient to throw any real light on it. The White Paper on supporting voluntary activity was published in September 2002. It set out a framework for supporting voluntary activity and for developing the relationship between the State and the community and voluntary sector. An implementation and advisory group was established and, after three years, a formal review was to take place. When will there be a formal review? The members of the advisory group have been seeking to participate in a review since May. Can the Minister confirm that he is not stalling regarding the review? When can we expect it to be carried out?
What has the Department been doing regarding the provision of multi-annual funding for the community and voluntary sector, which again is a bugbear, according to people in the sector? There was mention in the White Paper of enabling voluntary sector activity in such areas as accreditation of learning volunteers and an improved regulatory framework. The reality, however, is one of ad hoc rather than long-term funding. Instead of empowering and encouraging the voluntary sector, the message from Government seems to be one of disinterest. One of the IAG’s reviews mentioned the lack of continuity of membership on the statutory side, the selection of junior personnel for the committees and statutory members not being given a mandate from the Department. This sector is being treated with contempt and there is no indication of when the review will be published.
It was always said that the IAG would be reviewed after three years. Its mandate ended in July 2004 and the review is being completed. For now, the IAG as a group is still meeting and continuing its work. Papers have been exchanged between the Department and the IAG but a decision as to how we move forward into the future will be made quite soon.
I have already explained the position regarding funding. This was an issue of hot debate for a time but the funding was announced last year and it is going to a number of bodies. Perhaps some who hoped to receive funding did not, or did not receive the sum they hoped, but substantial funding has been provided to the sector under the two headings and this is ongoing on a three-year basis.
Does the Minister of State agree that one of the most important supports for the voluntary sector is that the recommendations of the report, Tipping the Balance, be implemented? This provides that a legal framework be put in place for the voluntary sector. If this does not happen, the current situation where volunteers are becoming scarcer on the ground will continue. I fail to see why the Government had this report drawn up when it has done nothing about it. It is an important underpinning of the voluntary sector and essential to its proper development.
The report, Tipping the Balance, was about volunteers rather than paid staff and this report is being reviewed. It got tied into general reforms which are being carried out within the Department. One of the ideas contained in the report was the establishment of volunteer bureaux throughout the country. We are in favour of these in many ways but, in trying to co-ordinate the work of the various groups and bodies under the aegis of the Department, we felt it unnecessary to establish an entirely new network of volunteer bureaux. We considered that some of the existing groups could attempt to push forward the idea within the existing frameworks between CDPs, partnerships, drugs task forces, and so on. We were reluctant, therefore, to set up a new network for the moment while still attempting to establish some coherence among existing organisations.
I am sure the Minister of State is familiar with the pre-budget submission by the Community Partnership Network and its concerns that, between 2002 and 2004, there was a reduction of almost 20% in its budget. It is anxious to have its budget restored to what it was in 2002. Can it expect its submission to be received sympathetically and that there will be a favourable decision?
Does the Minister share the opinion of many in the community development sector that part of the reason there is not ongoing support from the Government is the fear that the sector represents an alternative to politics? Rather than the old approach of cumainn and branches, people can now effect development in their own communities, discover the nature of their own difficulties and seek to find their own resources. It is because of this threat that the Government is not responding adequately.
Regarding funding, the Estimates will be released within the next two weeks and Deputy McGinley will see the funding available under the various headings. We are working towards what was outlined in the White Paper, which was fundamentally concerned with improving the relationship between the State and the agencies. The question of how this should be done is the subject of ongoing consultation and discussion.
Regarding Deputy Boyle's question, people on different sides have different expectations as to what can be achieved. Much progress has been made and significant funding has been provided, which was one of the Department's key objectives.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
