Irish Language

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 September 2014

Wednesday, 17 September 2014

Questions (1743, 1768)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

1743. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to the fact that over 100 qualified Irish language translators on the Séala State panel of qualified translators received a brief e-mail from National University of Ireland Galway on behalf of Foras na Gaeilge informing them of the cancellation of their séala if received before 2013; if her attention has been further drawn to the fact that translators are being asked to resit an examination next month and that no further information is being made available to them; if she has examined the legal implications of this; if she has sought the views of the translation section of the Houses of the Oireachtas; if she has examined the potential implication for the status of the Irish language within the EU; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33941/14]

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

1768. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to the fact that over 100 qualified Irish language translators on the Séala State Panel of Qualified Translators received a brief e-mail from National University of Ireland Galway on behalf of Foras na Gaeilge informing them of the cancellation of their séala if received before 2013; if her further attention has been drawn to the fact that translators are being asked to re-sit an examination next month and that no further information is being made available to them; if she has examined the legal implications of this; if she has sought the views of the translation section of the Houses of the Oireachtas; if she has examined the potential implication for the status of the Irish language within the EU; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34424/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1743 and 1768 together.

At the outset, I must emphasise that this is an operational matter for Foras na Gaeilge. I should also explain that Foras na Gaeilge's accreditation system is not a translation qualification but is an assurance in regard to a translator’s standard of work. Basically, Foras na Gaeilge developed the accreditation system for translators in order to ensure high standards in the translation sector.

I understand from Foras na Gaeilge that translators who achieved accreditation prior to 2013 were informed that future re-accreditation would be required. Following a recent review of the system, those translators were informed that their accreditation would expire at the end of 2015 but that re-accreditation examinations would be held in 2014 and in 2015.

I understand from Foras na Gaeilge that the basis for the re-accreditation system and the examination held in 2013 is that accreditation will not have to be renewed by means of further examination. Therefore, given that translators will only have to sit one examination in future, proposals are currently under consideration by Foras na Gaeilge in order to continue to ensure high standards in the translation sector, for example by translators providing evidence of their work. I understand that Foras na Gaeilge is currently consulting with the translators with regard to these proposals.