Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2004
232 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Finance the amount which has been spent by his Department in 2004 in implementing the provisions of the Official Languages Act, 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31140/04]
View answer233 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Finance the amount which has been spent by public bodies or agencies funded by his Department in 2004 on the provisions of the Official Languages Act 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31155/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 232 and 233 together.
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. As Gaeleagras provides an integrated service including training provision, translation and proficiency testing, it is not possible to identify that proportion of expenditure which relates specifically to the implementation of the Act. The total allocation for Gaeleagras in 2004 is €250,000.
Outside Gaeleagras, work relating to implementing the Official Languages Act 2003 is spread across the Department and is undertaken in conjunction with officials' existing duties. It is, therefore, not possible to provide an overall cost for the implementation of the Act in the Department in 2004. However, the additional costs incurred by the Department associated with using external translation services, printing and advertising arising from the Act is estimated at around €35,000 in 2004.
The information requested by the Deputy on spending by public bodies or agencies funded by my Department is being compiled and will be forwarded to him as soon as possible.
