Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 November 2004
121 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Finance if any provision has been made in the 2005 Estimates for his Department for the cost of implementing the provisions of the Official Languages Act 2003; the amount of any such provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30788/04]
View answer122 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Finance the amount of money that has been spent in each of the past five years on the Irish language in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30805/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 121 and 122 together.
My Department has not allocated a specific overall provision in its 2005 Estimates towards the cost of implementing the provisions of the Official Languages Act 2003. Spending on the Irish language will occur across a range of areas. The main area of expenditure on the Irish language in my Department is through Gaeleagras na Seirbhíse Poiblí. Gaeleagras was established in the Department in 1971 with the general aim of promoting the Irish language throughout the Civil Service. Gaeleagras continues to make a significant contribution to the promotion and development of the use of Irish in the Civil Service including supporting the implementation of the Official Languages Act 2003. In anticipation of an increased level of activity in 2005, the allocation for Gaeleagras next year is €369,000, an increase of €119,000 over the 2004 allocation.
With regard to the implementation of the Act within the Department, the Department is preparing a draft scheme under section 11 of the Act. It is anticipated that any additional costs arising with translation of material, publication of documents bilingually or advertising, etc. as set out in the Department's scheme will be met from within the overall administrative budget of the Department. As indicated the main area of expenditure on the Irish language in my Department is through Gaeleagras. Gaeleagras expenditure over the past five years is shown in the following table:
|
Year |
€ |
|
2000 |
145,365 (Outturn) |
|
2001 |
189,191 (Outturn) |
|
2002 |
184,000 (Outturn) |
|
2003 |
234,000 (Outturn) |
|
2004 |
250,000 (Estimate Provision) |
