Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2004
209 Mr. O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the amount which has been spent by her Department in 2004 in regard to implementing the provisions of the Official Languages Act, 2003; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31139/04]
View answer210 Mr. O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the amount which has been spent by public bodies or agencies funded by her Department in 2004 relating to the provisions of the Official Languages Act 2003; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31154/04]
View answerI propose to take QuestionsNos. 209 and 210, together.
The implementation of the Official Languages Act 2003 by my Department is primarily an issue of improved customer service and of affording citizens their constitutional right to receive services in the official language of their choice. My Department is fully supportive of these aims.
As the Deputy will be aware from my reply to his recent questions, my Department does not account separately for each element of the modernisation programme designed to improve service to our customers. Thus the information requested by him is not readily available. I have asked for the cost of translation services used by my Department in 2004 to be compiled and when collated, I will arrange to have this information forwarded directly to him. In regard to public bodies and agencies funded by the Department, I am also arranging to have this information obtained from the bodies and will have it forwarded to him directly.
