Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 April 2021
1181. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the way in which her Department and agencies under her remit facilitate persons wishing to engage with their services through the Irish language; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21909/21]
View answer1182. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if all forms issued by her Department and agencies under her remit are available in both the Irish and English languages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21927/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1181 and 1182 together.
My Department's first Irish Language Scheme came into effect on 8 April 2019 and shall remain in force for the period of three years from 2019 to 2022. It has been prepared in accordance with the Guidelines outlined under Section 12 of the Official Languages Act 2003. In accordance with regulations made pursuant to the provisions of section 9(1) of this Act, my Department continues to comply with its statutory obligations.
My Department’s Customer Charter and Action Plan includes our commitments in relation to the provision of services through Irish. All written correspondence (letters and email) will continue to be responded to in the language in which it was received. If a member of the public wishes to conduct their business through Irish by telephone, an official in my Department will be available to provide such a service. Our most important corporate documents, such as our Annual Report and Statement of Strategy have been published on our website in both Irish and English and where the Department produces information leaflets and application forms of general public interest, these will be produced bilingually. My Department continues to provide services through Irish to members of the public in Gaeltacht areas as the need arises.
In terms of services provided through the Irish language for the agencies which come under my remit, I can confirm that Water Safety Ireland forms are available in Irish upon request.
The Charities Regulator is reviewing all forms for charities and the public on the Charities Regulator website with a view to having them available in Irish and English as soon as possible. There is a small number of legal forms specific to the Charity Services function of the Regulator that are provided to solicitors in English unless otherwise requested.
Pobal is strongly committed to complying with its obligations under the Official Languages Act 2003. Organisations applying to Pobal for funding are free to complete English language forms in Irish or in English.
The Western Development Commission (WDC) makes all financial statements, annual reports and Public Appointments Services adverts available in both Irish and English. WDC believes in the promotion of the Irish language and notes the ability to speak the Irish language, by applicants, in all current job applications. Any form drawn up by the WDC can be requested in either Irish or English and will be provided within a reasonable timeframe. The WDC has a number of fluent Irish speakers working within the agency and is happy to deal with Irish language verbal queries as they arise.
My Department's Irish Language Scheme has been formulated with the intention of ensuring that all relevant obligations under the Official Languages Act, 2003, relating to my Department, are being fully addressed on an incremental basis, through this and future schemes.
