Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 February 2021
233. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health when his Department’s new language scheme will be finalised; if he plans to direct that all medical labelling be conducted in a bilingual format, that is, Irish and English; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6294/21]
View answerMy Department is currently drafting a revised Language Scheme in accordance with Section 15 of the Official Languages Act 2003 to cover the period 2021-2023. The scheme will concentrate on the provision of services by the Department itself through Irish to the public e.g. Departmental speeches and press releases, public health advice, website content, replies to correspondence received in Irish. It is expected that the revised language scheme will be finalised and approved by the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media by the end of March 2021.
There are no plans to introduce mandatory bilingual (Irish and English) labelling for medicines or medical devices authorised for use in Ireland.
