Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2004
373 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount which has been spent by his Department in 2004 in regard to implementing the provisions of the Official Languages Act 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31147/04]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, my Department has published its scheme under the Official Languages Act. The scheme details specific commitments in relation to improved delivery of our services through the Irish language. These commitments will be delivered from within the overall budget available to my Department in the relevant years and do not create extra costs or require the provision of additional funding.
As Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, I have overall responsibility to ensure that the provisions of the Official Languages Act 2003 are implemented and that the primary objective of the Act, which is to ensure better availability and a higher standard of public services through Irish, is achieved. Consequently, my Department has incurred costs in the publication of statutory guidelines as required under section 12 of the Act. In addition, costs were incurred in placing advertisements, requesting submissions on the preparation by my Department of a scheme under the Act. In all, these costs have amounted to some €30,000 to date in 2004. These are once-off costs. In addition, a sum of €373,673 has been spent by Oifig Choimisinéir na dTeangacha Oifigiúla to date under subhead D of the Vote of my Department.
374 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount which has been spent by public bodies or agencies funded by his Department in 2004 relating to the provisions of the Official Languages Act 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31162/04]
View answerIt is not possible, in the time available, to compile the information requested by the Deputy. It is currently being collated by my Department and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
