Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 November 2013
112. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe cén bunús taighde nó sochtheangeolaíoch atá leis an gcinneadh atá glactha ag an Rialtas maidir le cumas na Gaeilge ó thaobh earcaíochta sa Státseirbhís a athrú; agus cén chaoi a dtacaíonn sé seo leis an Straitéis Fiche Bliain don Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn. [47434/13]
View answerIn developing a new policy approach to the Irish language proficiency aspect for recruitment to the civil service my Department - working collaboratively in particular with the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht - was strongly guided by the evidence that the pre-existing approach of providing for bonus marks in all competitions for Irish language ability was clearly not achieving its objective. In particular the uptake of the scheme was low and those awarded bonus marks were not being utilised to provide services through Irish. The key imperative informing the new approach is, therefore, to put in place a coherent sent of measures underpinning service delivery through Irish.
Within this overarching policy approach, Irish language proficiency policy for the civil service has been refocused to provide more meaningful and effective services through Irish. The Departments Implementation Plan for the 20 - Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-30 includes measures aimed at building capacity in the provision of Irish language services in the civil service. The workforce planning process will be revised to require Government Departments and Offices to identify posts and areas of work requiring functional bilinguals. In tandem with this panels of qualified personnel who are Irish proficient will be put in place from recruitment competitions as necessary from which the identified roles can be filled.
Please note, the Deputy will receive a reply in Irish as soon as possible.
