Following a review of the Official Languages Act 2003, my Department recently published the Heads of the Official Languages (Amendment) Bill 2014. Head 6 of the proposed Bill provides for an amendment to section 13 of the Act. This involves including a new subsection in section 13(2) stating that the posts within public bodies that require an Irish language competency be specified in language schemes. This amendment reflects the Government decision of 30 October 2013 to replace the practice of awarding bonus marks for Irish language proficiency in civil service recruitment and promotion competitions with a new competency-based system. Under this new system, Irish language competency will be a requirement for specified jobs in the civil service. In addition, it should be noted that the workforce plans of Government Departments and Offices will in future specify the posts/areas of work which require staff that can function in both official languages.
I should also point out that, in accordance with section 13(d) of the Official Languages Act 2003, public bodies, when preparing their language schemes, are required to ensure that the particular Irish language requirements associated with the provision of services in Gaeltacht areas are met.