Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 October 2011
300 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to review the boundaries of the Iveragh Gaeltacht, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28750/11]
View answerWhile I have no plans at present to review the boundaries of Gaeltacht Uíbh Ráthaigh or indeed of any other Gaeltacht area, the Deputy may be aware that the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 envisages a new statutory definition of the Gaeltacht. This new definition of the Gaeltacht will be based on linguistic criteria rather than on specified geographical areas, as is currently the case. The new definition will be given statutory status under the Gaeltacht Bill which is to be published in 2012, in accordance with the Government’s Legislation Programme.
The Gaeltacht Bill will also provide for a language planning process whereby language plans will be prepared at community level for each Gaeltacht area. The development of a comprehensive language planning system at community level in the Gaeltacht is a key component of the 20-Year Strategy to ensure that the Irish language survives as a community language in the Gaeltacht. It is intended that every Gaeltacht community, including that of Gaeltacht Uíbh Ráthaigh, will be empowered through the language planning process to determine its own future in the Gaeltacht.
